For several months, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has been operating with crucial positions lying vacant, sparking serious concerns about its operational efficiency and its ability to address the grievances of electricity consumers across the state.
Critical Regulatory Posts Remain Unfilled
The commission is currently functioning without key personnel in multiple essential roles. The vacant posts include the secretary, the director (tariff), the deputy director (legal), the deputy director (engineering), and notably, the Tamil Nadu electricity ombudsman. This administrative paralysis is directly impacting consumers, who are facing prolonged delays in getting their petitions and complaints addressed.
The secretary's post, a pivotal administrative role, has been empty for over six months. Even more critically, the director (tariff) position, which is central to adjudicating finance-related matters for various stakeholders, has remained unfilled for an astonishing three years. In the engineering division, the responsibilities are being managed by existing officers holding additional charge, rather than by a full-time, technically sound director.
Stakeholders Voice Growing Frustration
The Renewable Energy Producers Association (REPA) has formally raised the alarm. In a letter to the state energy secretary, the association has urged the government to appoint qualified individuals to these posts to ensure the smooth functioning of the commission. K Venkatachalam, chief advisor of REPA, highlighted the cascading effect of these vacancies on the commission's core duties.
TNERC is entrusted with significant responsibilities that directly impact the state's power sector and its consumers. These include:
- Determining tariffs for the sale of electricity by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TNGECL).
- Setting feed-in tariffs for renewable energy generators.
- Deciding open-access charges and additional surcharges for industries.
- Vetting and approving true-up petitions filed by major state power entities like TANGEDCO, TNGECL, Tamil Nadu SLDC, and TANTRANSCO.
The absence of key officials is hampering these vital regulatory processes.
Consumers Left in the Lurch Without Ombudsman
Perhaps the most direct impact on the public is the continued vacancy of the Tamil Nadu electricity ombudsman's post. Neelakanta Pillai, a retired state power utility officer and consumer activist, called the situation unacceptable. He pointed out that despite repeated public notices inviting applications from eligible candidates, no appointment has been made.
"Consumers who are dissatisfied with the orders of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRF) approach the ombudsman for a final remedy," Pillai explained. "Even consumer associations can directly list their grievances before the ombudsman. Now, all these avenues are stuck, leaving consumers with nowhere to go." This creates a significant access-to-justice gap in the power sector's grievance redressal mechanism.
When approached for comment on the delays in filling these crucial regulatory positions, State Transport and Electricity Minister S S Sivasankar was unavailable. The prolonged vacancies raise questions about the government's priority in strengthening the independent regulator, which is essential for a transparent and efficient power sector in Tamil Nadu.
