The Electricity Act, 2003

1
Government of India March, 2006
 Background

• Three erstwhile Acts that regulated the electricity

sector:

• The Indian Electricity Act, 1910

• The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948
• The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998

2
Contd..
 Background (contd..)

• The Indian Electricity Act, 1910

• Provided basic framework for electric supply industry in
India.
• Growth of the sector through private licensees. Licence by
State Govt.
• Provision for licence for supply of electricity in a specified
area.
• Legal framework for laying down of wires and other works.
• Provisions laying down relationship between licensee and
consumer.

• The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948

• Mandated creation of SEBs.
• Need for the State to step in (through SEBs) to extend
electrification (so far limited to cities) all across the country.
3
Contd..
 Background (contd..)

• Main amendments to the existing Acts

• Amendment in 1975 to enable generation in Central sector
• Amendment to bring in commercial viability in the functioning of SEBs –
• Section 59 amended to make the earning of a minimum return of 3% on fixed assets a
statutory requirement (w.e.f 1.4.1985)
• Amendment in 1991 to open generation to private sector and establishment
of RLDCs
• Amendment in 1998 to provide for private sector participation in
transmission, and also provision relating to Transmission Utilities.

4
Contd..
 Background (contd..)

• The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998

• Provision for setting up of Central / State Electricity
Regulatory Commission to with powers to determine tariffs.

• Constitution of SERC optional for States. .

• Distancing of Govt from tariff determination.

5
 State Reform Acts
 Orissa (1995)
 Haryana (1997)
 Andhra Pradesh (1998)
 Uttar Pradesh (1999)
 Karnataka (1999)
 Rajasthan (1999)
 Delhi (2000)
 Madhya Pradesh (2000)
 Gujarat (2003)

6
 Common features of State Acts
 Independent Regulatory Mechanism
• Constitution of SERC
• Powers of tariff fixation, licensing, regulation or working of licensees,
performance standards etc. to SERC

 Reorganisation of SEB
• TRANSCO as successor entity
• Single buyer model
• Separation of generation, transmission & distribution

7
Contd..
 Common features contd…..

 Powers of State Governments to give policy directions

to SERCs.

• Policy directions also on subsidy

• State Governments to compensate licensee affected by

direction regarding subsidy

8
 Need for the new legislation
• Requirement of harmonizing and rationalizing the provisions in the
existing laws to

- Create competitive environment for benchmark competition which

will result in enhancing quality and reliability of service to consumer.

- distancing regulatory responsibilities of Govt.

• Reform legislation by several States separately.
• Obviating need for individual States to enact their own reform laws.
• Requirement of introducing newer concepts like power trading, open
access, Appellate Tribunal etc.
• Special provision for the Rural areas.
9
Salient features of the Electricity Act,
2003
• Role of Government
• Rural Electrification
• Generation
• Transmission
• Distribution
• Consumer Protection
• Trading / Market Development
• Regulatory Commission / Appellate Tribunal
• Tariff Principles
• CEA
• Measures against Theft of electricity
• Restructuring of SEBs

10
 Role of Government
 Central Government to prepare National Electricity Policy and
Tariff Policy.(Section 3)
 Central Govt. to notify a National Policy for rural areas permitting
stand alone systems based on renewal and Non-Conventional energy
sources in consultation with States. (Section 4)
 Central Govt. to formulate a National Policy in consultation with the
concerned State Govts. for bulk purchase of power and management
of local distribution through Users’ Association, Cooperatives,
Franchisees and Panchayat Institutions etc. (Section 5)

11
 Rural Electrification

•Appropriate Govt to endeavor to extend supply of electricity to all

villages/hamlets. (Section 6)

•No requirement of licence if a person intends to generate and

distribute power in rural area. (Section 14)

12
 Generation
• Generation free from licensing. (Section 7)

•Requirement of TEC for non-hydro generation done away with. (Section 7)

•Captive Generation is free from controls. Open access to Captive

generating plants subject to availability of transmission facility. (Section 9)

•Clearance of CEA for hydro projects required. Necessary due to concern of

dam safety and inter-State issues. (Section 8)

•Generation from Non-Conventional Sources / Co-generation to be

promoted. Minimum percentage of purchase of power from renewables may
be prescribed by Regulatory Commissions. (Sections 61 (h), 86 (1) (e))
13
 Transmission
• There would be Transmission Utility at the Centre and in the States to undertake
planning & development of transmission system. (Sections 38 & 39)
• Load despatch to be in the hands of a govt company/organisation. Flexibility
regarding keeping Transmission Utility and load despatch together or separating
them. Load Despatch function critical for grid stability and neutrality vis a vis
generators and distributors. Instructions to be binding on both.
(Sections 26, 27,31, 38, 39)
• Transmission companies to be licensed by the Appropriate Commission after
giving due consideration to the views of the Transmission Utility.
(Sections 15(5)(b))
• The Load Despatch Centre/Transmission Utility / Transmission Licensee not to
trade in power. Facilitating genuine competition between generators
(Sections 27, 31, 38, 39,41)
• Open access to the transmission lines to be provided to distribution licensees,
generating companies. (Sections 38-40)
14
This would generate competitive pressures and lead to gradual cost reduction.
 Distribution
- Distribtution to be licensed by SERCs.
- Distribution licensee free to take up generation & Generating co. free
to take up distribution licence. This would facilitate private sector
participation without Government guarantee/ Escrow. (Sections 7, 12)
- Retail tariff to be determined by the Regulatory Commission.
(Section 62)
- Metering made mandatory. (Section 55)
- Provision for suspension/revocation of licence by Regulatory
Commission as it is an essential service which can not be allowed to
collapse. (Sections 19, 24)
- Open access in distribution to be allowed by SERC in phases. (Section
42)
- In addition to the wheeling charges provision for surcharge if open access
is allowed before elimination of cross subsidies, to take care of
(a) Current level of cross subsidy
(b) Licensee’s obligation to supply. (Section 42)
- This would give choice to customer.
15
 Consumer Protection
 Consumer to be given connection within stipulated time. (Section 43(1))

 Penalty in the event of failure to give connection (Section 43(3))

 Payment of interest on security deposit. (Section 47(4))

 Regulatory commission to specify Electricity supply code to be

followed by licensees. (Section 50)

 No sum due from consumers recoverable after a period of two years

unless the same was shown recoverable continuously. (Section 56(2))

16
Contd…
 Consumer Protection contd…

Redressal forum for redressal of grievances of consumers, to be

appointed by every distribution licensee within six months.
Ombudsman scheme (Section 42 )
Standards of performance
Licensees required to meet standards of performance specified by
Regulatory Commission. Failure to meet standards makes them
liable to pay compensation to affected person within ninety days.
Licensee to furnish to the Commission periodical information on
standards of performance (Section 57)
District level committee - (a) to coordinate and review extension of
electrification in each district; (b) to review quality of power supply and
17
consumer satisfaction, etc. (Section 166 (5))
 Trading/ Market Development

- Trading distinct activity permitted with licencing. (Section

12)

- Regulatory Commission may fix ceiling on trading margin

to avoid artificial price volatility. (Sections 79 (2) (b) & 86
(2) (b))

- The Regulatory Commission to promote development

of market including trading. (Section 66)

18
 Regulatory Commissions/Appellate Tribunal
 State Electricity Regulatory Commission to be constituted within six months. (Section
82)
 Provision for Joint Commission by more than one State/UT. (Section 83)
 Provision for constitution of Appellate Tribunal consisting of Chairman and three
Members. (Section 110, 112)
 Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals against the orders of CERC/SERC, and also to
exercise general supervision and control over the Central/State Commissions. (Section
111)
 Appeal against the orders of Appellate Tribunal to lie before the Supreme Court.
(Section 125)
 Appellate Tribunal considered necessary to-
• Reduce litigation and delay in decisions through High Court.
• Provide technical expertise in decision on appeals.

19
 Central Electricity Authority

•CEA to continue as the main technical Advisor of the Govt. of India/

State Government with the responsibility of overall planning. (Section
70)

•CEA to specify the technical standards for electrical plants and

electrical lines. (Section 73)

•CEA to be technical adviser to CERC as well as SERCs.(Section 73)

•CEA to specify the safety standards. (Section 53)

 
20
 Tariff Principles
• Regulatory Commission to determine tariff for supply of electricity by generating co. on
long/medium term contracts. (Section 62)
No tariff fixation by regulatory commission if tariff is determined through competitive
bidding or where consumers, on being allowed open access enter into agreement with
generators/traders.
• Consumer tariff should progressively reduce cross subsidies and move towards actual
cost of supply. (Section 61 (g), (h))
• State Government may provide subsidy in advance through the budget for specified
target groups if it requires the tariff to be lower than that determined by the Regulatory
Commission. (Section 65)
• Regulatory Commissions may undertake regulation including determination of multi-
year tariff principles, which rewards efficiency and is based on commercial principles.
(Section 61 (e), (f))
• Regulatory Commission to look at the costs of generation, transmission and distribution
separately. (Section 62 (2))

21
 Measures Against Theft of Electricity
- Focus on revenue realisation rather than criminal proceedings. (Sections
126, 135)
- Penalties linked to the connected load and quantum of energy and
financial gain involved in theft. (Section 135)
- Provisions for compounding of offences. (Section 152)
- Assessment of electricity charges for unauthorised use of electricity by
the assessing officer designated by the State Government. (Section 126)
- Theft punishable with imprisonment. (Section 135)
- Punishment provision for abetment of theft. (Section 150)
- Special Courts (Sections 153-158)

22
 Restructuring of SEBs

- Provision for transfer scheme to create one or more

companies from SEB. (Section 131)

- Provision for continuance of SEBs (Section 172)

- States given flexibility to adopt reform model/path.

23
 New Central Law vis a vis State Reform /
Amendment Laws
•All licenses, authorisations, permissions, approvals, clearances
issued under the repealed laws are saved for a maximum period of
one year. (Section 172(b)).
•Action taken under corresponding provisions of the repealed laws
or rules made thereunder are saved to the extent of
consistency/correspondence with the provisions of the new
Act(Section 185 (2)).
•Provisions of State Reform laws not inconsistent with provisions
of the new Central law will continue to apply in that State (Section
185(3)).
•State Governments can defer implementation of the new Act
by a maximum period of six months. (Section 172(d)). 24
Thank You

25