CIC told to hear DERC plea afresh

Times of India: New Delhi: Friday, 01 May 2015.

The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission not to hold its public hearing for fixing power tariff till May 8. Justice Rajiv Shakdher directed the Central Information Commission to once again hear the plea of DERC where the latter wants to go ahead with a public hearing to fix tariff.

Earlier this month, CIC had ordered DERC to postpone the hearing, prompting the regulator to approach HC. DERC urged HC to stay the CIC order but Justice Shakhdher sent the matter back to CIC asking it to hear afresh DERC's plea. The regulator fixes electricity tariff and argued in HC that CIC has no powers to issue such orders as it can impact the functioning of another statutory body.

The court directed that CIC will hear the issue again and pass its order. "DERC and the RTI applicant will appear before the CIC on May 6. The CIC will conclude its hearing before May 8," the court said, asking DERC not to hold its public hearing till then. CIC had passed its order on a plea by Anil Sood of an NGO, Chetna.