DERC Business Plan Regulations 2017 - As Good as Throwing Out Sec.61 of EA, 2003

To

The Secretary,

Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission,

C-Block, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.

Sub: DERC Business Plan Regulations 2017

IF PASSED - MIGHT AS WELL THROW OUT SECTION 61 OF ELECTRICITY ACT 2003 INTO THE DUSTBIN IN ITS ENTIRETY.

Section 61 of the Electricity Act, 2003 stipulates that the Commission shall be guided by the factors which would encourage competition, efficiency, economical usage of resources, grid performance and optimum investment in specifying the terms and conditions for determination of tariff.

In terms of the Section 61 (g) of the Act, the Appropriate Commission shall be guided by the objective that the tariff progressively reflects the efficient and prudent cost of supply of electricity.

Sir,

DERC does not have full strength and without a Chairman for a few years now, I am APPALLED to note that a matter of such importance is being taken up Single Member.

There are many important issues that have been put on hold citing lack of full representation in DERC, here Business Plan Regulation that will impact future control of DERC over DISCOMS Accounts &  Audit is being compromised.

We are aware that the Commission has stated in an Affidavit in High Court that it lacks the Competence to Audit DISCOM Accounts, that does not mean that DERC introduces and passes a Regulation that binds DERC in accepting Accounts submitted by DISCOMS ……. This begs the Question …… Why have a Commission at all ?????

PLEASE PUT ON HOLD THIS REGULATION IN VIEW OF ABOVE STATED FACTS …….. If the proposal to bring about changes suggested in the Draft are anything to go by then MIGHT AS WELL THROW OUT SECTION 61 OF ELECTRICITY ACT 2003 INTO THE DUSTBIN IN ITS ENTIRETY.

These are preliminary submissions, I request you to give me an opportunity to elaborate in person before a final decision is taken.

Warm Regards,

s/d

Rajiv Kakria

Member GK-I, RWA