In a major legal victory for the Rajasthan government, the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the state’s electricity regulations.
A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath dismissed appeals filed by power companies, including Ramayan Ispat Private Limited, which challenged the 2016 Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) regulations.
The regulations aim to prevent consumers from using both the power supplied by distribution licensees and open access electricity simultaneously.
The power companies argued that the new rules unjustifiably restricted their ability to purchase electricity from their own power plants or other states, violating their rights.
They also contended that these regulations were an infringement on the flexibility granted under the earlier 2004 regulations.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that state governments have the authority to regulate electricity use within their jurisdiction, ensuring that the power grid remains disciplined and efficient.
The Court emphasized that these regulations were necessary to avoid disruptions in the power grid, which could arise from overconsumption or underconsumption of electricity.
Rajasthan Government’s Perspective On The Ruling
Advocate General Shiv Mangla Sharma, representing the Rajasthan government, expressed confidence that the Supreme Court’s decision would ensure that consumers in the state receive affordable and reliable electricity.
He stressed that the ruling paves the way for the state to maintain its control over electricity usage while also meeting the needs of consumers.
The 2016 RERC regulations were initially upheld by the Rajasthan High Court, which acknowledged that the rules were put in place to preserve grid stability.
These regulations also prevented consumers from taking advantage of a loophole where they could simultaneously draw power from both the distribution licensee and open access channels, thus potentially overloading the grid.
Impact On Power Companies & The Future
The power companies, who had opposed the regulations, argued that the restrictions imposed on open access electricity conflicted with the Electricity Act of 2003, which they claimed allowed them more freedom in managing their power consumption sources.
They viewed the 2016 regulations as arbitrary and detrimental to their operations.
Despite the opposition from the companies, the Supreme Court’s ruling clears the way for the Rajasthan government to enforce these regulations, ensuring that consumers benefit from stable and affordable electricity without disrupting the grid’s operations.
With this decision, the state government is optimistic that it can now provide electricity at more reasonable prices while maintaining grid discipline.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a crucial step towards safeguarding the interests of electricity consumers in Rajasthan.
By validating the RERC regulations, the Court has reinforced the state’s right to regulate electricity use within its jurisdiction while balancing the needs of both consumers and power companies.
The decision provides hope for consumers, ensuring a fair and affordable electricity supply in the future while maintaining grid stability.
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