UP Power Corporation Faces Fresh Vigilance Heat as Corruption and Disproportionate Assets Cases Set for Reinvestigation

More than 30 cases related to alleged corruption and disproportionate assets involving electricity engineers and employees in Uttar Pradesh are likely to come under fresh scrutiny, as the state government prepares to transfer the investigations to the State Vigilance Department.

These are cases that were earlier examined by the internal vigilance wing of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and subsequently closed.

However, following a major administrative decision by the state government, many of those files may now be reopened and investigated independently.

According to officials associated with the power corporation, the transfer of these cases to State Vigilance could begin within the next few weeks.

The move follows directions issued recently by Chief Secretary S. P. Goyal, who ordered an end to the existing system under which corruption and disproportionate assets complaints were being investigated internally by departmental vigilance units.

Under the new arrangement, such sensitive cases will now be investigated by the State Vigilance Department, an independent agency expected to function with greater autonomy.

Officials said the Power Corporation is currently identifying and preparing more than 30 cases for transfer.

Among them are nearly 10 cases involving allegations that caused major financial losses to the corporation. More than 20 additional cases reportedly relate to accusations of disproportionate assets against engineers and employees.

Sources indicated that several of the individuals under scrutiny are either current or former office-bearers of electricity engineers’ and employees’ unions, making the issue particularly sensitive within the department.

Smart Meter Interim Report Submitted Quietly

Meanwhile, another issue linked to the power sector has also begun attracting attention.

A four-member committee constituted to examine the quality and functioning of smart electricity meters has reportedly submitted its interim report to the Power Corporation quietly, without making its findings public.

The committee was formed on April 12 following instructions from the Chief Minister to investigate complaints and concerns surrounding smart meters installed across the state.

Officials said the interim report has already been forwarded by the Power Corporation to the state government.

However, the secrecy surrounding the report has drawn criticism from consumer rights groups.

Awadhesh Kumar Verma questioned why the report had been kept confidential despite the issue affecting crores of electricity consumers across Uttar Pradesh.

He argued that the findings should be placed in the public domain to maintain transparency and public trust.

Verma also raised concerns about the scope of the investigation itself.

According to him, simply testing the accuracy of smart meters in departmental laboratories is not enough to determine whether the system is functioning fairly and reliably.

He said a proper technical audit should include examination of the complete digital ecosystem connected to smart metering infrastructure, including the Meter Data Management System (MDMS), Head-End System (HES), and the cloud-based technology supporting the meters.

“Only then can the real functioning and reliability of the smart meter system be properly understood,” he said.

Cases to Be Transferred in Phases

Officials said the Power Corporation is unlikely to transfer all pending and previously closed cases to State Vigilance at once.

Instead, the process will reportedly happen in phases.

In the first stage, a limited number of previously closed investigations may be handed over for fresh scrutiny.

Simultaneously, some ongoing internal vigilance cases are also expected to be transferred immediately.

Sources said additional files could be shifted later depending on the progress of the initial investigations.

The corporation is believed to be prioritising cases involving heavy financial losses or allegations of serious misconduct.

Not Just Engineers, Senior Officials May Also Face Scrutiny

The development has triggered concern within sections of the power department because the State Vigilance Department functions independently, unlike internal vigilance units that operate under the Power Corporation itself.

Officials believe this could lead to faster investigations and a wider examination of accountability.

There is also speculation that the scope of the investigations may extend beyond engineers and employees to include senior administrative officials whose roles may have earlier escaped detailed scrutiny.

As a result, many within the department believe the fresh vigilance probe could expose deeper irregularities and widen the circle of accountability within Uttar Pradesh’s power sector.