Don't Impose Electricity Bill Changes on States: TSERC

HYDERABAD:The state electricity regulatory bodies should not be forced to implement the provisions of the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, 2014, with immediate effect, Ismail Ali Khan, chairman, Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission has said. States should be given certain time to implement the new provisions in various stages, based on the condition of local market, he said.

The Electricity Amendment Bill-2014, which proposes to make it mandatory for all the power generating companies including the thermal power plants to produce renewable energy up to at least 10 percent of their total productivity. The amendments also propose to introduce multiple licenses in the power distribution system which allow the private companies to enter the pipeline.

Khan felt that imposing the proposed amendments on states in short span can create unnecessary troubles for the local electricity regulatory bodies which already have an established power distribution system functioning.

Allowing multiple licenses might also create a price war among the distribution companies which will force them to supply power at cheaper prices. However, ultimately the small scale distribution companies will face the heat, he said.  

Addressing representatives of various industries at a national seminar on T‘Takeaways from the electricity amendment bill-2014,’ here on Friday, Khan welcomed the move to amend the bill. However, the appealed to the Central government to keep small industries and consumers in view while making changes to the Act. The changes should benefit both the power sector and the consumers, he said. “I hope the standing committee keeps our views in mind while preparing the draft,” he added.

The standing committee which is now preparing the draft for proposed amendments to the bill sought the industry’s opinion on the bill. To express the view of business community on the bill, the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI) organised a national seminar. The views expressed here will be sent to the standing committee, Anil Agarwal, chairman, energy committee, said.