AAP government seeks SC approval to process appointment of pro-tem members of DERC

The AAP government in Delhi is likely to approach the Supreme Court for permission to process the file for appointment of pro-tem members before the city’s power regulator DERC.

The AAP government in Delhi is likely to approach the Supreme Court for permission to process the file for appointment of pro-tem members before the city’s power regulator DERC, official sources said on Saturday.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) is a three-member body, including a chairman. The posts of two members have been vacant since last year.

A committee constituted by the Supreme Court shortlisted the pro-tem members, but their appointment was postponed as the Model Code of Conduct was in force for the Lok Sabha polls and due to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in March, they said.

The file for appointment of pro-tem members must be sent by the Chief Minister to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi for approval.

Since Kejriwal is in jail, the file is pending and the Delhi government wants to seek the court’s permission so that the power minister forwards it directly for the lieutenant governor’s approval, the sources said.

The Supreme Court in August last year appointed retired judge Jayant Nath as chairman pro-tem of the DERC after the AAP government and Delhi’s lieutenant governor failed to agree on a candidate for the post.

On the directions of the Supreme Court, a selection committee was formed in November last year, comprising current pro-tem chairman Nath, chairman of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, retired judge Ramesh Ranganathan, and retired judge Asha Menon, each to select pro-tem members.

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First print: June 9, 2024 | 7:32 am IST