Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) will remain shut for one more month, the Supreme Court directed on Monday. Country’s apex electricity regulator has been suspended by the Court since August 28 when CERC failed to appoint a mandatory Member (Law) in its quorum.
The matter pertains to a Supreme Court order in April 2018 when it directed all state electricity commissions to appoint a member from the field of law with qualifications of a high court or district judge.
The Ministry of Power on Monday asked the SC for four weeks to search and appoint a member (law). The ministry said the final selection of the member would be done by a Cabinet Committee.
The Court is hearing a contempt petition filed by K K Agarwal and argued by advocate Ravi Sharma against the central government for not appointing a legal member.
“The Centre was not sure on the time it will need to appoint member law. The Central government has tentatively asked for four more weeks. So, CERC will remain non-functional for a month more,” said advocate Sharma.
A copy of the order was not available till the print time. The SC will hear the matter again on December 4, 2020.
The ministry advertised for the vacancy of member (law) for CERC in April 2019 and October 2019. But the selection committee did not finalise any candidate and cancelled the process. Meanwhile, two other non-law members – I S Jha, former chairman and managing director, Power Grid Corporation, and Arun Goyal, retired secretary, Government of India, were appointed.
