Promise of power

KANPUR: So how will they brighten up the power scenario in city, once they are voted to power?
A politician advises, read our manifestos. But as the recently released manifestos of the Congress and BJP are identical in 70 per cent aspects, TOI decided to have it straight from the horse's mouth and invited the candidates' viewpoints on the burning issue of the city -- power.
Sitting MP, Sriprakash Jaiswal and Congress candidate feels tied down as power supply is under state government's jurisdiction and he at best, can facilitate fund release from the central coffers.
Satish Mahana, BJP's candidate has grander plans. He says, "At central level, I will work for approving power projects in the city as were approved by Vajpayee ji during his regime like Golden Quadrilateral and river-linking projects. At local level, I will see that these projects benefit the city's masses."
Mahana is not very supportive of private players' entry into field of power distribution and says that their credentials need to be checked beforehand.
Sukhda Mishra, BSP's candidate has set realistic ambitions. She says, "We cannot improve the situation overnight. First, instead of irregular hours, we will fix rostering hours and ask public to remain prepared for it. If not 24 hours, I will try to ensure non-stop power supply for 18 to 19 hours. Then line losses will be minimised and faulty and old lines will be replaced."
Surendra Mohan Agrawal, SP's candidate said, "The problem does exist. I will see to it that NTPC gives good power supply to city. I will also improve the rostering scene in the city."
NTPC is the body which generates power and supply is in hands of UPPCL.
And last but not the least, the tech savvy, Omendra Bharat contesting on the ticket of BPD says, "There are two problems here -- of supply and maintenance. The existing power infrastructure should be overhauled at the proper time. I will also see to it that no losses are incurred through power theft and overloading."
Well, time alone will tell, as to how they will handle power with responsibility.