UP revokes order asking establishments to close early

Under severe attack from several quarters and in the state assembly, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday revoked its order imposing early closure of commercial establishments in the state considering a severe power crisis. The state’s labour department had said yesterday that all shops and malls in the state would remain open only between 1100 hrs and 1900 hrs to save on power and “benefit farmers and people”.

The order exempted medical shops and cinemas, and asked eateries to close by 2200 hrs. The diktat received strong opposed from traders, political parties and the industry. The matter was raised in the state assembly, where the Opposition slammed the government for poor power management. Beginning today, the order was purported to be in order for the next 15 days, when it was to be reviewed. Currently, UP is facing severe power crunch with peak hour demanding shooting past 12,000 Mw routinely and total power availability around 10,000 Mw only.