Unhappy with the "lack of progress" in health and power sector in the state, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati  warned the officials of the two departments to improve their functioning or else "the government will be forced to look for other alternatives".

She specially noted the improvement in power distribution in Agra after the job was handed over to a private group and said a "last chance" was being given to power department employees to work for betterment of its financial position.

The chief minister, who reviewed the functioning of the two departments, issued the "last warning" to officials to bring an improvement in their work culture, an official statement said.

Issuing directives to ensure availability of power as per the roster both in the urban and rural areas, Mayawati said any laxity on this count would be taken seriously and erring officials would be dealt with sternly.

Directing the officials to give a fresh momentum in the drive to check power pilferage, she said that stern action upto dismissal should also be ensured of the power department staff assisting in electricity theft, the statement said.

Expressing concern over huge losses suffered by the state power corporation, she cited the cases of Agra and Kanpur where private sector had been involved and said a "last chance" was being given to power department staff to work towards improving the financial position failing which the government would be "forced to look for other alternatives".

Stressing that 7000 to 8000 MW power was being supplied this summer which was almost 30 per cent more than the last few years during this season, Mayawati said her government was working towards its goal to improve generation in the state to 25 thousand MW by 2017.

The chief minister said that private investors have also shown interest in the power sector under which agreements have been signed for 5000 MW and expressed satisfaction over the improvement seen in Agra after distribution was handed over to a private group.

While reviewing the working in government hospitals, Mayawati expressed dissatisfaction that despite all efforts, expected improvement has not been seen and issued directives for improving services there, according to the statement.

While directing the officials for taking steps to check infectious diseases during monsoon, she said as of now, the process of handing over four district hospitals and two community health centres to the private sector has been put on hold. She said that the progress of the health department will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Stressing that medical health and power were among the top priorities of her government, Mayawati said that she had issued the "last warning" to the staff of both these departments to improve their working "or else the government would look for other alternatives".