Mulayam stands by Anpara 'C' selloff

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has reiterated his resolve to privatise the 1,000 MW Anpara "C" thermal power project. Reliance Energy and Essar Power Ltd are the two major power companies in the race for the project.

Yadav said here today privatisation was the only option available since it was beyond the means of the state government to finance big thermal power projects.

Moreover, UP was reeling under a severe power crisis and more investment was needed in power generation and that would come only from private investors, he argued.

Urging power employees to shun the path of confrontation, Yadav said the government was ready to sign fresh agreements with the unions to assure them job security.

He said the state government had repeatedly stressed there would be no retrenchment and their salaries and other facilities would be protected.

Meanwhile, the standoff between the state government and the power employees persisted.

The employees' joint action committee has given a call for lightning strike as soon as the representatives of the Reliance Energy and Essar power visit the plant site.

An FIR has been lodged against Shailendra Dube, convener of the action committee, and several other leaders.

Union leaders have been booked under relevant sections for causing damage to public property, arson and instigating the employees to strike, causing disruption in essential services. Official sources, however, refused to confirm or deny the development.