Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — July 15, 2025: In a scathing review meeting with power corporation officials across Uttar Pradesh, Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma lashed out at the administration for failing to deliver basic services to the public. What began as a routine briefing turned into a fiery rebuke, shaking up the entire power department hierarchy—from Chairman to XEN level officers.
With a visible mix of anger and disappointment, Sharma questioned the state of the power infrastructure and the detachment of officials from ground realities. “Transformers are burning right in front of us, public representatives are openly abusing the government and its systems, and you sit here saying ‘everything is fine’? What’s going on in this state?” Sharma exclaimed during the session.
“This Is Public Service, Not a Baniya’s Shop!”
The minister’s fury was sparked by increasing public complaints and a series of transformer failures, village-wide power cuts, and alleged corruption in vigilance operations.
उत्तर प्रदेश-
— Gaurav Singh Sengar (@sengarlive) July 23, 2025
ऊर्जा मंत्री अरविंद शर्मा ने पहली बार अधिकारियों के ठीक से पेंच कसे ,मंत्री ने स्वीकारा जनता से कट गए हैं अफसर,ऑफ़िस से रिपोर्ट बन रही है !!
ऊर्जा मंत्री ऐसे ही लगातार डंडा चलायें तभी स्थिति सुधरेगी !! pic.twitter.com/C6jkBkQ0w1
In a sharp tone, Sharma addressed one of the officials directly, saying, “Ashish, let me be very clear—this is not some private shop where you say, ‘no payment, no service’. We are here to serve the public. What kind of system have you created where the entire village’s electricity is disconnected just because one house didn’t pay the bill?”
He further added, “We are not running a profit-driven enterprise. This is a service for the people, and it must be delivered without compromise.”
“False Reports, Zero Ground Reality”
Calling out the hollow paperwork, Sharma said, “It’s easy to sit in an air-conditioned office and file fake ‘All is Well’ reports. But have you even visited the field to see the suffering of the people?”
He expressed grave concern over how weeks pass without replacing burnt transformers, leaving entire communities in darkness.
The minister also accused the vigilance department of targeting wrong locations while letting actual electricity theft zones off the hook. “Raids are being done at soft targets, and where real theft is happening, bribes are being taken in exchange for FIRs. Is this justice?”
“Have You Taken a Contract to Tarnish the Government?”
Arvind Kumar Sharma didn’t mince words when he said, “Have you taken a contract to defame the government? Why is public suffering being ignored while internal reports paint a rosy picture?”
He made it clear that this level of bureaucratic apathy would no longer be tolerated.
“You’ve turned blind, deaf, and mute to the cries of the people. Get out of your chairs and face the public. Stop hiding behind files and paperwork!” he thundered.
Immediate Reforms Demanded
Concluding the meeting, Arvind Kumar Sharma issued a strict warning:
“Improve the system immediately, or be ready to face consequences. This is a final warning!”
He emphasized that public trust cannot be restored with fake reports, and that action will follow inaction.
Highlights of Arvind Kumar Sharma’s Remarks:
- “Transformers are burning; villages are in darkness. And you still say all is well?”
- “One house didn’t pay, so you cut off power to the entire village? Is this your justice?”
- “Wrong locations are being raided; real offenders are paying off officials.”
- “We’re running a public service, not a money-making shop.”
- “Step into the field, meet the public, and face reality.”
- “Have you taken a contract to shame the government?”
- “Action will be taken if things don’t improve now.”
A Statewide Wake-Up Call
The meeting, held in Lucknow, has reverberated across all districts, with Sharma’s words sending a clear message to every power department official: public service is not optional—it is a duty.
As power shortages, transformer burnouts, and billing complaints continue to mount, the minister’s strong intervention could mark a turning point for UP’s electricity governance.
Only time will tell whether the bureaucracy takes this call seriously—or if more heads will roll in the days to come.