Centre’s draft electricity rules overrides state, regulators’ jurisdiction, say CERC, WB govt

The West Bengal government has objected to the Union power ministry’s proposed rules for a late payment surcharge on electricity, terming it the Centre’s attempt to intrude into the jurisdiction of the state and the regulatory commission.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has virtually termed the rules, null, saying that “rules must be made to enable legislation” of the Electricity Act (EA) 2003.

It said the rules seek to make changes to the provisions of the Act and encroach on the powers of the regulator by fixing surcharges and inter-state transmission charges. “The objective of the EA 2003 is to distance the regulatory [functions] from the government vesting it on the regulatory commissions.