UP nod awaited for setting up power projects: PM

In a veiled dig at the Mayawati government over delay in project approvals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Saturday, said that central PSUs are awaiting approval from the state to set up power plants in Uttar Pradesh, which is facing electricity shortages.

"To resolve the shortage of power in Uttar Pradesh, central PSUs -- NTPC and Neyveli Lignite Corporation -- have proposed to set up several major power projects in the state," he said at a function organised by Merchants' Chamber of Uttar Pradesh (MCUP) in Kanpur.

Singh said that once the approval of the state government is received, work on these projects would start. The NTPC proposed project for about 2000 MW power generation in backward region of Bundelkhand is facing rough weather in the absence of state's clearances.

He assured the MCUP that the Centre would make all possible efforts for the industrial development of Kanpur city. "We want that cloth and leather industry of Kanpur and UP (as a whole) should once again achieve the leading position and expand in other sectors as well."

The Prime Minister said Uttar Pradesh and its people have the capability to make it one of the states with fastest industrial growth.