The Madhya Pradesh High Court has served notices on the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) and the State government through the principal secretary Energy Department on a PIL for compliance of Supreme Court order to frame new or amend old regulations then decide tariff petition of state owned power discoms (electricity distribution companies) for financial year 2023-24.
In addition the PIL seek direction to the MPERC to put on hold determination of power tariff till new rules are framed.
Also the PIL seek direction to the respondent Commission to withdraw the public notice of December 21, 2022.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Vishal Mishra heard the PIL.
A social organization Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch president Dr. PG Najpandey and Rajat Bhargava filed the PIL.
The Supreme Court has directed all State Regulatory Commissions to frame regulations under section 181 of Electricity Act 2003 on terms and conditions for determination of tariff within three months from the date of the judgement, the petitioners’ counsel Dinesh Upadhyay said.
The Supreme Court on November 23, 2022 in Civil Appeal No. 1933 of 2022 mandated to frame the rules, he said.
The PIL stated MPERC hold motion hearing of December 6, 2022 and admitted the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) petition that is tariff determination petition submitted by the MP Government owned electricity companies, he said.
The MPERC issued public notice and started a process of determination of tariff, the counsel said.
