K. Sharma has expressed severe dissatisfaction with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) following a decision to increase electricity prices by 10 percent through the Fuel Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge (FPPAS). The Minister has formally addressed his concerns in a letter to UPPCL Chairman Ashish Goyal, questioning the lack of communication regarding such a significant financial decision. Minister Sharma highlighted that he learned about the price hike through television news channels rather than through official departmental channels, which he described as a serious lapse in administrative protocol and a direct attempt to tarnish the image of the state government.
Minister Questions Administrative Conduct and Negligence
K. Sharma raised several pointed questions regarding the functioning of the department and the conduct of its top leadership. He specifically questioned why electricity was made more expensive without prior consultation or notification to the government, while the decision to impose a 10 percent FPPAS on bills for June 2026 has been viewed by the Minister as an action that could potentially damage the public's trust in the administration. He further criticized the working style of the Chairman and noted his frequent absence from the headquarters, which he believes hampers the efficiency of the department. On top of that, the Minister expressed concern over the removal of experienced employees from their positions, suggesting that such negligence in the power management system is against public interest and detrimental to the state's energy goals.
Regulatory Commission Declares Surcharge Illegal
The controversy has escalated as the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has also stepped in, declaring the 10 percent fuel surcharge illegal. The commission had initially sought a response from UPPCL within one week regarding the imposition of this surcharge. However, after the deadline passed without a satisfactory explanation, the commission issued a second notice. The Managing Director of UPPCL has now been directed to submit a response by June 19. This regulatory action follows a petition filed by the UP Electricity Consumer Council, which challenged the order to collect a 10 percent fuel surcharge from consumers in the month of June. The council argued that the surcharge was implemented without following the necessary legal and regulatory procedures.
Record Breaking Power Supply in Uttar Pradesh
K. Sharma also shared significant milestones regarding the state's power infrastructure. In May 2026, he announced that the electricity supply in Uttar Pradesh had reached an all-time high. On May 25, a Sunday, the power demand in the state peaked at 31,804 MW at 10:39 PM, which is the highest recorded demand in the entire country. The Minister took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share these achievements, stating that Uttar Pradesh is continuously setting new records in power supply, while he detailed that at 10:01 PM on the same night, the supply was 31,774 MW, which already broke previous records, before climbing further to the 31,804 MW mark. He emphasized that these figures represent the highest supply levels in the history of both the state and the country, showcasing the immense scale of the state's energy operations despite the ongoing administrative challenges.