Punjab Newsline
AIPEF seeks continuation of electricity boards in line with tribunal judgment
VINOD KUMAR GUPTA
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
PATIALA: All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has demanded that existing state electricity boards should continue as it is not mandatory under the Electricity Act 2003 to split generation, transmission and distribution under one company as per judgment of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.

Padamjit Singh Chairman AIPEF said in a press note that the tribunal has given a landmark judgment of on July 15 this year ruling that under the Provision of Electricity Act 2003 it is not compulsory or mandatory to unbundle or split up the state Electricity Boards. The only requirement is to form a separate trading company for the purpose of trading.

He said that in view of this judgment the existing integrated state electricity boards must not be split, particularly in case of Punjab, Kerala & TNEB. Further, those electricity boards, which have been split, must be merged and integrated in to one utility covering Generation, Transmission and Distribution.

Shaliender Dubey Secretary General AIPEF demanded that move to give distribution of power in Kanpur and Agra cities of Uttar Pardesh to Torrent on franchise basis must be scrapped. He said

Statement of objects and reasons of Electricity Act-2003 envisages the franchise system only in rural areas but practically the creamy high revenue cities are being given on Distribution Franchise to private companies, which was not in order.

AIPEF demands that the management of Power Sector must be entrusted to experienced Power Engineers. The practice of deploying bureaucrats and Non-Engineers to power sectors at level of MD, CMD should be stopped immediately. Power engineers of experience must manage power Sector to run it efficiently.

AIPEF requested the Power Ministry that the new Chairman of Damodar Valley Corporation must be shifted, as he was not given clearance by Central Vigilance Commission. As per CVC at least three major cases are pending against the present incumbent.

AIPEF further demanded that the distribution license of BSES Rajdhani discom should be suspended as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has passed strictures against the company.