CM orders stern action in thefts at UPPCL godowns

| | Lucknow | in Lucknow

Taking a serious view of large-scale pilferage of electrical goods from godowns by some employees of UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered stern action against the guilty.

The Chief Minister also ordered regular audit of UPPCL godowns across the state within a month.

In June this year, the Special Task Force of UP Police had busted a racket in which contractors and officials of UPPCL were found to be disposing of electrical goods, conductors and other material in the open market. 

On Saturday, the Chief Minister reviewed the action taken so far by the UP Police and the UPPCL brass on his directive.

Yogi directed DGP OP Singh to get the probe into this case completed by the STF within a month. He also asked the DGP to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe this case.

Besides, Yogi asked the UPPCL brass to ensure special audit of its godowns across the state and the utilisation of goods stored therein.

Expressing serious concern over the malpractice, the Chief Minister said that the probe into the racket be accorded top priority and stern action be taken against officers involved in the crime. He also asked the officials to initiate departmental proceedings and register criminal cases against the guilty.

Officials of the Power department informed the Chief Minister that as soon as the racket was busted by the STF, special investigation teams were set up by two power distribution companies with headquarters in Lucknow and Agra. 

The officials said that for time-bound action, a special task force headed by director (finance) of UPPCL was set up. The said officers from vigilance, finance and technical wings were also included in the force.

The Chief Minister also asked the UPPCL brass to strengthen the system of enforcing standards of quality control for goods like electric poles, transformers and conductors purchased for electrification. 

He directed the officials to conduct raids and collect samples of electrical goods stored in godowns and send them to labs for ascertaining quality.