Consumer Groups Workshop Urges Stringent
A two-day National Workshop on Power Sector Reforms and Regulations in India was held at Pune on 22-23 March 2007. More than 30 representatives from civil societies and consumer organisations from 10 States participated in the Workshop and shared their experience. Mr. K.K. Bajaj, Hon. Director (Representations), Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), attended the Workshop and made a presentation on ‘Power Sector Reforms and the Scenario in Gujarat’.
Ref. : ER/PR-’07/power.10/kkb/dG
A two-day National Workshop on Power Sector Reforms and Regulations in India was held at Pune on 22-23 March 2007. More than 30 representatives from civil societies and consumer organisations from 10 States participated in the Workshop and shared their experience. Mr. K.K. Bajaj, Hon. Director (Representations), Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), attended the Workshop and made a presentation on ‘Power Sector Reforms and the Scenario in Gujarat’.
During the concluding session, all participants agreed to a resolution highlighting a few urgent issues which are critical for promotion of consumer interests and called for immediate action by the Ministry of Power, State Governments and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
The resolution broadly covered the following important topics:-
i) Effects of recent judgments passed by the Appellate Tribunal for electricity, restricting the powers of SERCs.
ii) Opposition to the recently proposed amendment to the Electricity Act wherein the theft of electricity is to be made a non-bailable offence. This will lead to misuse of Section – 135 of the Act and harassment to consumers.
iii) The selection of Chairman and members of SERCs should be more transparent with independent mechanism and without interference from State Governments.
iv) SERCs should implement stringent monitoring of norms laid down in the Standards of Performance and Electricity Supply Code Regulations with reliable and timely reporting by licensees. Third-party monitoring is suggested due to non-availability of man-power and infrastructure with SERCs.
v) Increase participation of consumer groups and civil society groups before all proceedings of SERCs and necessary analytical and financial resources should be made available to these groups through a creditable mechanism.
vi) Pricing of fuel is very essential to control electricity charges for end-users or consumers. An effective regulatory mechanism should be incorporated to determine rational prices of fuels through a transparent public process.
The resolution was jointly signed by all participants and submitted to the Ministry of Power, Forum of Regulators Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
Pritee Shah
Senior Director – CERC
Editor INSIGHT — The Consumer Magazine
Date : 24/04/2007
Place : Ahmedabad
