Centre gets into power war with UP in poll season

Irregularities and religious discrimination, says Centre; old case and action taken, says UP govt

A political controversy has arisen on rural electrification in Uttar Pradesh (UP), with a probe for Moradabad district revealing that power connections were given outside the contractor’s scope of work.

The Centre is alleging inaction by state authorities; the latter say the matter is old and “closed”. The case dates back to July 2016 and has been dug out again, with the Centre and state hurling charges of communal polarisation at each other.

The Union power ministry has alleged religious discrimination. A probe committee of the Centre has concluded there was “discrimination on religious grounds, while implementing the scheme”. Besides,