Backdoor Privatisation of Transmission Sector in the Name of Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) Will Not Be Accepted: All Transmission Projects Must Be Entrusted to the State Power Transmission Corporation \u2014 Sangharsh Samiti<\/p>\n
Lucknow, Aug 7<\/p>\n
The Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, Uttar Pradesh, has urged Hon\u2019ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath to immediately stop the process of handing over the State\u2019s strategic transmission sector to private companies in the name of Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB). The Sangharsh Samiti has demanded that all new transmission projects, substations, transmission lines and related works in the State be entrusted exclusively to the Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL).<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti has categorically stated that privatisation of the transmission sector in the name of TBCB is nothing but backdoor privatisation of a highly critical and strategic component of the electricity system, which will not be accepted at any cost. The transmission network is the most vital link between power generation and distribution. Increasing private sector control over this network could pose a serious challenge to the State\u2019s energy security and the reliability of electricity supply in the future.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti said that under the TBCB mechanism, private companies invest in transmission projects and receive assured revenues and returns over a long period. The return on private investment, financing costs and other project-related expenses ultimately influence the overall cost of the electricity system through transmission charges.<\/p>\n
In contrast, when transmission projects are developed by the State\u2019s own transmission corporation, public interest, long-term power planning and cost optimisation can be given priority.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti has demanded that an independent and impartial comparative audit be conducted of the actual cost of transmission projects developed by UPPTCL and those developed by private companies through TBCB. The assessment should include not only the project cost but also financing costs, interest, long-term payment obligations and the overall financial burden ultimately borne by electricity consumers.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti said that if the State-owned transmission corporation can develop the same transmission assets at a lower cost, the justification for handing over such projects to private companies merely to promote private investment must be clearly established.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti pointed out that UPPTCL has decades of experience, technical expertise and a large pool of trained engineers and employees in the construction, operation and maintenance of the State\u2019s extensive transmission network.<\/p>\n
Despite this, if an increasing number of new transmission projects continue to be awarded to private companies or other entities through TBCB, it will gradually weaken the role and institutional capacity of UPPTCL.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti stated that weakening a State-owned utility while strengthening private companies cannot, by any consideration, be regarded as a policy in the public interest.<\/p>\n
Instead, UPPTCL should be provided with adequate financial resources, technical manpower, engineers and employees, modern equipment and advanced technologies so that it can expand the State\u2019s transmission network in accordance with the rapidly growing electricity demand.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti said that the transmission network cannot be treated merely as a commercial project. It is the backbone of the State\u2019s energy security and the foundation of a reliable and stable power grid.<\/p>\n
In situations of exceptionally high electricity demand, grid emergencies, natural disasters, technical crises or other extraordinary circumstances, effective government control over the transmission network is essential.<\/p>\n
Therefore, instead of increasing private sector participation in such a strategic sector, the need of the hour is to strengthen the capacity, accountability and institutional framework of the public sector.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti has urged Hon\u2019ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath to take the following immediate steps in the larger interest of Uttar Pradesh and its electricity consumers:<\/p>\n
1. The growing privatisation of the transmission sector through TBCB should be stopped immediately, and TBCB must not be allowed to become a vehicle for backdoor privatisation.<\/p>\n
2. All new transmission projects, substations and transmission lines in Uttar Pradesh should be entrusted exclusively to Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL).<\/p>\n
3. An independent comparative audit should be conducted of the project cost, financing cost, long-term payment obligations and total financial burden on consumers arising from transmission projects developed through TBCB and those developed by UPPTCL.<\/p>\n
4. Instead of weakening UPPTCL, it should be strengthened by providing adequate financial resources, technical manpower, engineers and employees, modern equipment and advanced technological facilities to ensure a robust transmission system in the State.<\/p>\n
5. Before taking any major policy decision concerning the transmission sector, there should be comprehensive consultation with representatives of electricity consumers, engineers and electricity employees.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti said that electricity demand in Uttar Pradesh is continuously increasing and the State will require a massive expansion of its transmission network in the coming years. At a time when the State\u2019s own transmission corporation needs to be strengthened, opening up the transmission sector to private companies is neither prudent nor a forward-looking policy.<\/p>\n
The Sangharsh Samiti has urged the Chief Minister to give the highest priority to the interests of crores of electricity consumers, the security and reliability of the power system, and Uttar Pradesh\u2019s long-term energy self-reliance, and immediately stop the privatisation of the transmission sector in the name of TBCB.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Backdoor Privatisation of Transmission Sector in the Name of Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) Will Not Be Accepted: All Transmission Projects Must Be Entrusted to the State Power Transmission Corporation \u2014 Sangharsh Samiti Lucknow, Aug 7 The Vidyut Karmchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, Uttar Pradesh, has urged Hon\u2019ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath to immediately stop …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,92,33,1284,91,3202],"tags":[3901,4218],"class_list":["post-9248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-featured","category-international","category-international-political-national","category-national","category-uttar-pradesh","tag-shailendra-dubey-chairman-of-the-all-india-power-engineers-federation-aipef-electricity-amendment-bill-2025","tag-vidyut-karmchari-sanyukt-sangharsh-samiti-uttar-pradesh"],"yoast_head":"\n