*No step initiated to fill posts of Chairperson, members
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 18: The power tariff petitions of Power Development Department and State Power Development Corporation for the current financial year are unlikely to be decided in near future as Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Commission is lying completely defunct during the past four months but the Government has yet not initiated any exercise to fill the vacant posts of Chairperson and two members.
The State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) was established by way of Act which was enacted by the State Legislature in the year 2000 for rationalization of electricity tariff, transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies and matters.
The primary objectives of the SERC 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 utilities 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.
While two members of the Commission completed their term over two years back, the Chairperson demitted office on completion of term as per the provisions of the Act in December 2016. Though four months have lapsed since the Commission became completely defunct yet the Government has not initiated any exercise to infuse new lease of life in this Commission which otherwise has immense role to play in the power sector, sources told EXCELSIOR.
Section 4 of the 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. However, no adherence has been shown to this provision till date.
“Had strict compliance been shown to this provision of the Act the posts of Chairperson as well as members would have not been lying vacant”, sources regretted, adding “the astonishing fact is that exercise which was to be initiated six months before the superannuation of Chairperson and members has not received the required focus of the Government in general and Power Minister in particular till date”.
It is pertinent to mention here that as per the provisions of the Act a Selection Committee comprising Minister for Power, Principal Secretary to Government, Power Development Department and Member Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is required to recommend names for the posts of Chairperson and members of SERC within one month from the date on which the reference is made to it.
“What to talk of other vital assignments assigned to this Commission as per the Act of 2000, even tariff petitions of Power Development Department and State Power Development Corporation for the current financial year are unlikely to be decided in view of defunct Electricity Regulatory Commission”, sources said.
Elaborating further, they said that soon on the receipt of power tariff petitions the SERC is required to put the same on its website for inviting objections and suggestions from the people. Thereafter, the Commission holds the public hearing followed by meeting of Advisory Committee.
“But for all these steps the approval of the Chairperson of SERC is required as such there is no possibility of early disposal of power tariff petitions for the current financial year”, sources said, adding “moreover, in the absence of Chairperson and Members the violation of earlier directions of SERC will remain unnoticed as under the Act of 2000 the Commission enjoys sufficient powers vis-à-vis ordering punishment for non-compliance of orders or directions”.
“It is a matter of serious concern that on one side Government is making tall claims about flagging power as vital sector and on the other side it has maintained non-serious attitude towards vital Commission, which has multifarious duties to perform in the power sector”, sources regretted.
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