Panel on cards to monitor power watchdog bosses

KOLKATA: The performance of members and chairpersons of state electricity regulatory commissions will be assessed by an evaluation committee that will have the power to remove or reappoint them based on their record.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014, proposes formation of an evaluation committee under the forum of regulators that will examine the performance of each member. The central government will constitute the forum of regulators consisting of the chairperson of the central commission and chairpersons of the state commissions.

The forum of regulators shall, from time to time, constitute an independent committee consisting of not less than three persons of eminence to review the performance of any appropriate commissions and submit a report with recommendations of this committee to the central government.

The bill also proposes to cap the upper age of members at 65 years and their tenure will be reduced from five years now to three years under the proposed bill. The proposed amendment also aims to increase the number of members of state commissions from three now to five under the bill. Three members in this five-member team will be appointed by the centre.

Once the Electricity (Amendment) Bill becomes law, the performance of each member will be based on introducing new tariffs as and when required.