Power generation, distribution tariff remain undecided for current FY
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 16: The PDP-BJP Coalition Government has no intention to infuse new lease of life in Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), which is lying completely defunct during the past one year despite the fact that it has an important role to play in deciding the power generation as well as distribution tariff besides handling key issues of the power sector.
The State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which was established by way of a legislation enacted in the year 2000, played crucial role in making the Power Development Department and Power Development Corporation accountable on various issues of the power sector.
However, with the passage of time the Government lost interest in keeping this Commission fully functional and the intention of rendering SERC defunct came to the fore when two members completed their term over two years back but no effort was made to fill the vacant posts, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
“The designs of not having this Commission became crystal clear following completion of term by the Chairperson in December last year”, sources said, adding “during the past one year there is no discussion at any level in the Government to infuse new lease of life in the Commission”.
Had there been seriousness particularly at the level of State Power Ministry a panel of eligible persons for the posts of Chairperson as well as Members of the SERC could have been easily prepared and placed before the State Cabinet for approval, sources said, adding “the fate of the SERC during the past one year has exposed the tall claims of the Government about paying required attention towards the power sector”.
Section 4 of the J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission Act clearly states that the Government shall six months before the superannuation or end of tenure of Chairperson or a Member make a reference to the Selection Committee for filling up of the vacancies. “What to talk of strictly adhering to this provision of the Act the Government even after the end of tenure of Chairperson as well as Members has not shown any seriousness in reviving the SERC”, sources regretted.
It is pertinent to mention here that a Selection Committee headed by Minister Incharge Power and comprising of Principal Secretary to Government, Power Development Department and Member Central Electricity Regulatory Commission as nominated by its Chairman is required to make recommendation to the Government for filling the posts of Chairperson and Members of SERC.
“The defunct SERC is a big question mark on the performance of both Minister Incharge Power and Administrative Secretary of the Power Development Department”, sources said, adding “even if some favourites had to be adjusted on these posts the Government should have taken the final decision without wasting much time”.
The intensity of non-serious approach towards the Electricity Regulatory Commission can also be gauged from the fact that even Secretary and Technical Consultant have not been provided during the past quite long time. “In the absence of Chairperson and Members the tariff petitions of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation and Power Development Department have been gathering dust in the office of the Commission during the past several months”, sources said.
“Due to non-disposal of petitions, the generation as well as distribution tariff for the current financial year has remained undecided”, sources said while disclosing that the tariff being charged by the PDD from the consumers has no legal sanctity in the absence of SERC’s approval.
They further said that even people have been deprived of a platform where they can raise their grievances vis-à-vis functioning of PDD as under SERC Act the Commission enjoys sufficient powers to pass directions to the Power Development Department for promptly acting on the issues of the common masses.
“If the Government doesn’t want to make this vital Commission functional and continue to violate the legislation in utter disregard to the State Legislature it should permanently wind up the regulator by issuing a formal order”, sources remarked.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the primary functions of the Commission are to determine the tariff for electricity, wholesale, bulk, grid or retail; determine the tariff payable for use of the transmission facilities; regulate power purchase and procurement process of the transmission and distribution utilities including the price at which the power shall be procured from the generating companies, generating stations or from other sources for transmission, sale, distribution and supply in the State.
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