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Supreme Court Seeks States’ Replies on Electricity Commission Vacancies
A group called Energy Watchdog asked the Supreme Court to look into vacancies in state electricity commissions.
These commissions handle electricity-related matters under the law.
The group says some commissions have empty positions or do not include a person with the required legal background.
It says this does not follow the law and a 2018 Supreme Court decision.
The petition gives examples from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
The group says the problems can make it harder for electricity consumers to get their complaints decided lawfully.
The Supreme Court has asked 15 states and two Union Territories to respond.
The case is about whether these commissions have been set up as the law requires.
The Supreme Court sought responses from 15 states and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The PIL was filed by NGO Energy Watchdog over alleged vacancies and other shortcomings in state electricity regulatory commissions.
The petition says several commissions lack a suitably qualified person of law, despite a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
It cites Tamil Nadu’s three vacant posts and Andhra Pradesh’s vacancies for chairperson and technical member.
The petitioner seeks directions requiring the authorities to disclose steps taken to comply with the Electricity Act, 2003.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, NGO Energy Watchdog, and the 15 states and two Union Territories asked to respond.
- What
- The Court sought responses to a PIL alleging vacancies and non-compliance in state electricity regulatory commissions.
- Where
- The Supreme Court in New Delhi; the petition concerns commissions in 15 states and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- When
- Friday, October 9; the report does not specify the year.
- Why
- Energy Watchdog seeks compliance with the Electricity Act, 2003, and the Supreme Court’s 2018 directions on commission composition.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Energy Watchdog, an NGO
- Court action
- Notice seeking responses from 15 states and two Union Territories
- Union Territories named
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
- Law cited
- Electricity Act, 2003
- Earlier ruling
- Supreme Court verdict from April 2018
- Tamil Nadu example
- The petition says all three commission offices are vacant
- Andhra Pradesh example
- The petition says the chairperson and technical member posts are vacant, leaving one finance member
Quotes
Energy Watchdog
NGO that filed the public interest litigation concerning State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
“Consumers’ access to that remedy cannot be made dependent upon indefinite executive inaction.”
theprint.in
Sources
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