Uttar Pradesh is currently facing a power shortage of 1,500-2,000 MW despite supplying 27,407 MW of electricity on September 14, the highest among states that day. According to UPPCL, the state's demand remains close to last September's peak supply of 30,625 MW. The power shortage is attributed to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in coal-mining areas that have disrupted coal supplies nationally, while lower wind and hydropower generation and non-availability of electricity from Nepal have added to the shortage. Limited power availability on the Indian Energy Exchange has also constrained purchases, particularly at night, with limited power cuts of around 2,000-3,000 MW currently being imposed during night hours.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a significant industrial investment proposal on Tuesday, clearing the establishment of an ethanol plant in Mathura district with a ₹200+ crore investment. According to reports from The Times of India, Sugarcane Development Minister Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary announced that the Cabinet had approved a proposal to restart the sugar mill in Chhata tehsil of Mathura district, which had been closed 19 years ago. The ethanol plant will produce 39.6 million litres of ethanol annually from sugarcane and paddy, operating for nearly 11 months a year. The minister criticised the previous Samajwadi Party government, alleging that no financial support was provided to the mill during its tenure. The new facility will primarily produce ethanol from sugarcane during the crushing season, after which it will continue operations using maize and paddy as feedstock, ensuring year-round production and improved utilisation of resources.
The ethanol plant will be built on 96 acres available with the sugar mill site, with warehouses and a complex also planned for development. As reported by The Times of India, the minister explained that running a sugar mill smoothly requires about 50 lakh tonnes of sugarcane annually, but the required availability is not present at present. Therefore, an ethanol plant will be set up at the site, with sugar production to be started once sugarcane availability improves. The facility's strategic location, situated about 40 minutes from Noida International Airport, is expected to enhance logistics and create opportunities for developing warehouses and other supporting infrastructure in the area. The project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for thousands of people in the region.
The Cabinet also approved the Uttar Pradesh Toy Manufacturing Promotion Policy, 2025, which is expected to promote toy manufacturing in the state, attract investment and create employment opportunities. According to reports from The Times of India, this policy represents a significant step in the state's industrial development strategy for the toy manufacturing sector.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approved the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, providing significant financial support to small and marginal farmers. As reported by The Times of India, the scheme offers loans up to ₹6 lakh at 6% annual interest rate for small and marginal farmers through Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank. This initiative aims to provide long-term, low-interest loans to marginalised farmers, addressing their credit needs and supporting agricultural productivity in the state.
Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh announced that the Cabinet approved proposals related to his department, including bus stands at Shohratgarh and Barhni in Siddharthnagar district and at Sawayajpur in Hardoi district. As reported by The Times of India, the Cabinet also approved amendments to rules for automatic testing centres (ATCs), reducing the minimum land requirement from 2.5 acres to 1,500 square metres for single-line ATCs and 3,000 square metres for two-line ATCs. The state had issued letters of approval for 82 ATCs, but work had started on only 42.
