Electricity to be available like mobile connection: UP power minister

Interview with Shrikant Sharma, Power Minister, Uttar Pradesh

The poll war for the seat of power in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was fought on several issues, one being electricity. The now-ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in its poll manifesto promised 24-hour supply. However, this delivery will be on the shoulders of its debt-ridden distribution companies (discoms), a beleaguered system and years of a distorted rate structure. SHRIKANT SHARMA, the state’s power minister, tells Archis Mohan and Shreya Jai what they intend to do. Edited excerpts:
 
UP recently signed a ‘power for all’ agreement with the Centre. What are some of its salient features?
 
The past government