Defunct SERC awaits revival

Chairman’s post still vacant; 2 Members apptd yet to join

S.SHEKHAR

JAMMU: In a rarest of the rare case, the State Government itself violated the provisions it laid down while constituting Jammu & Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Commission (J&K SERC) in 2000 as more than two years have passed since the last Chairman of the Commission retired but no one was appointed at the coveted post after that.

Astonishingly, the J&K SERC which rationalizes electricity tariffs in State is lying defunct from last three to four years as its two Members completed their term about four years back and Basharat Ahmad Dhar demitted his office as the last Chairman on completion of term on 31 December, 2016 but no action was taken in spite of clear cut provisions under Section 64 (3), (4) that Government shall make reference for selection of Chairman/Chairperson and Members of J&K SERC within six months before the term of Chairman or the Members comes to an end.

“As the Commission is rendered defunct, it clearly indicates that the Government has itself violated the law by not making any reference to fill the vacancies,” said a senior officer of the concerned department while talking to The News Now on the condition of anonymity.

“The mission with which the State Government constituted J&K SERC has apparently failed as presently there is no authority to keep watch on the functioning of Power Development Department (PDD) in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said expressing concern.

“The sorry state of affairs is that even after the last Chairman superannuated on 31 December, 2016, no one was appointed to fill the top post in the Commission, besides, the posts of two Members i.e., Member Technical and Member Finance as well as the post of Secretary also remaining vacant for nearly 4 years.”

“However, the Governor’s administration has recently finalized the appointment of two Members of the Commission to revive the regulatory body,” he said and added further, “Government has cleared the names of Mohd Rafiq Andrabi, Director General, Codes, Finance Department and Shamsher Singh Manhas, Executive Director, Engineers India Limited for their appointment as Members of Commission, who didn’t join the Commission till date while the formal orders have also been issued.”

“The Governor’s administration has also started the process for appointment of Chairman, J&K SERC,” the officer said, adding, “At present only Superintending Engineer, Additional Secretary Law, one Accounts Officer and a Private Secretary are working in the Commission but without appointment of its Chairman, it’s of no use.”

“In the prevailing circumstances, there can’t be any revision in electricity tariffs as well as functioning of Electricity Courts has also come to standstill. Besides, there is no one to keep check on the works being executed in the power development sector in the State,” he said and added further, “A large number complaints of consumers are also pending in the Electricity Courts and the aggrieved people have no option than to move from pillar to post to get redressal of their issues.”

It’s worthwhile to mention here that the J&K SERC was established in 2000 by Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature to rationalize electricity tariffs, ensure transparent policies regarding subsidies and promote efficient and environmental-friendly policies and matters.

The Commission consists of a Chairman / Chairperson and two Members, who are appointed for a term of five years or the time they attain 65 years of age. It’s a corporate body, which is constituted by a Selection Committee headed by Chief Secretary of the State. The other Members of Committee are Member of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) nominated by its Chairperson, Administrative Secretaries of Power and Law.