The Govt. of India had enacted the Electricity Regulatory Commissions
Act, 1998 (No.14 of 1998) on 2nd July, 1998 with the objective of
providing for the establishment of a Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, rationalisation
of electricity tariff, transparent policies regarding subsidies,
promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission was established on 2nd January, 2000 under the ERC Act, 1998. Consequent upon coming into existence of the Electricity Act, 2003 w.e.f. 10.6.2003, the Commission is poised to play a more effective role in the development of energy sector. The Commission is under the process of its revamping after consultation with the Government.
Set up in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission is a statutory body responsible for licensing transmission, distribution and trade of electricity in the State. The other important responsibilities of the M.S.E.R.C. include fixation of tariff, regulation of procurement and creation of a consumer friendly grievance settlement framework. The Commission functions as an autonomous, quasi judicial body with transparency an essential element in all its deliberations. Holding public hearings and consulting with stakeholders, consumers and citizens are statutory obligations. The rights of service recipients are specifically emphasised and the introduction of consumer friendly measures by licensees encouraged.
The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission was constituted under the provisions of Subsection (1) of Section 17 of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. With effect from 10th June, 2003, the Commission has come under the purview of the Electricity Act, 2003, as the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 has since been repealed.
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission was constituted on 12th November, 1998 under provisions of Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. The Commission has come under the purview of the Electricity Act, 2003, as the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 has since been repealed. GERC has the mandate to regulate the Electricity Sector in the state of Gujarat in a transparent, effective and efficient manner so as to safeguard the interests of consumers. The Commission has introduced a system of regular interactions with the stakeholders in the Electricity Sector through meetings of the State Advisory Committee, the Co-ordination Forum of all the power utilities in the State, and the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums, to address the issues relating to consumers as well as the electricity supply industry. GERC has been taking effective steps in promoting renewable sources of energy.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the States of Manipur and Mizoram (JERC) was constituted by the Central Government under the provisions of Sub-section (5) of Section 83 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) vide Govt. of India F. No. 23/3/2002-R and R dated 18th January, 2005 notified in the Gazette of India, extraordinary dated 18th January, 2005. The JERC (M and M) is a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to contract and shall by the said name, sue and be sued. In addition, the Joint Commission is a quasi-judicial body.
The Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission was established under the provisions of Section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003 as a One Member Commission to be known as Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) effective from the date of joining of office of the first Member. Er. S.I. Longkumer who was appointed as Chairman-cum-Member of the NERC was declared to be the first Member of the Commission and he shall also be its first Chairperson. The Commission was established on 4th March, 2008.
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