1. General
The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission has been functioning since Jan. 2, 2000.
2. Framing of Regulations
The Commission had framed 7 regulations up to March 2001.During the year 2001-2002, the Commission framed Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Appeals against order of Electrical Inspector) Regulations, 2002.
3. Licences
The application for grant of licenses for distribution and supply of electricity made by Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. & Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., and the application for grant of transmission and bulk supply license made by RVPN were processed for grant of license during 2000-2001 but the licenses could not be granted for want of “No objection” from the Ministry of Defence Government of India. The licenses were subsequently granted by the Commission to the four companies on 30th April 2001.
4. Directions to the Vitran Nigams under the Licence
Under the terms of licences granted, the Vitran Nigams were required to furnish following documents for approval of the Commission:
I. General Conditions of Supply
II. Distribution Code
III. Charter of Consumer Rights
IV. Standards of Performance
Present status in respect of these is as under:
i. General Conditions of Supply- Under the provisions of licence condition at para 13, the Vitran Nigams were required to furnish draft General Conditions of Supply within a period of one month from the date of commencement of the licence. The Vitran Nigams could submit a draft in the month of September 01, which was examined by the Commission, and comments/observations of the Commission were sent to the Nigams. A revised draft was received in the month of February 02. This revised draft was suitably amended by the Commission based on which a final draft was prepared by the Nigams. The Commission directed the Vitran Nigams to publish a notice in leading newspapers inviting suggestions/comments from interested parties.
iii. Charter of consumers’ rights- In terms of clause 12 of the licence granted, every licensee is required to publish, with the approval of the Commission, a charter of consumers’ rights in respect of supply of safe, reliable and efficient electric energy to the consumers. Draft of the consumer rights has been finalised by the Commission.
iv. Standards of Performance (SoP) - In terms of clause No.11 of the licenses each licensee was required to submit ‘Standards of Performance’ for approval of the Commission within six months of grant of licence.
Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. submitted the drafts of ‘Standards of Performance’ for approval of the Commission on 28th August, 01, 19th Sept. 01 & on 23rd October 01 respectively. The Commission after examining the draft has asked the three companies to suitably modify the draft.
5. Directions to RVPN under the Licence
Under the term of license granted, RVPN was required to furnish following documents for the approval of the Commission.
i. Standards of Performance
ii. Grid Code
i. Standards of Performance- RVPN submitted a draft of the Standards of Performance on 28.12.01.The draft as received needed considerable improvement. Commission conveyed its comments to RVPN on 14.3.02.
ii.Grid Code – As per License condition No. 12, RVPN was required to submit Grid Code within 6 months of grant of license. RVPN submitted it on 11.1.01.Observations of the Commission were conveyed to RVPN. The Commission directed that the Grid Code should have a separate section for load despatch activity (presently terms as ‘Load Despatch Manual’). RVPN furnished revised Grid Code on 28.12.01, which was forwarded to Vitran Nigams for comments. Commission’s comments on the revised Grid Code were sent to RVPN on 14.3.02.
RVPN also furnished Draft L.D. Manual on 27.11.01upon which Commission’s observations were sent on 2.3.02.
6. Directions to the Vitran Nigams under Tariff Order
The Commission has issued several directions in its tariff order dated 24th March 2001 to ensure improvement in levels of performance and consumer satisfaction. The Commission held three review meetings with the chairmen cum managing directors of the three Vitran Nigams on 2/8/01,5/11/01 & 4/2/02 for monitoring the compliance with the directives.
Present status in respect of some important activities is as follows:
i. Action Plan for Reduction in Losses- The Commission has directed the Vitran Nigams to reduce their distribution losses by 5.4% by the end of 2001-02, with an objective to bring down to the level of 20% in a period of 5 years. They had been directed to prepare a long-term action plan and submit it to the Commission, so that its implementation could be monitored. Action Plans were received from Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur VVNLs in December 2001. The Vitran Nigams have been directed to send a consolidated implementation report for approval of the Commission.
The Vitran Nigams have also appointed consultants to carry out a field study for determining transmission &distribution losses and assessment of consumption by flat rate agriculture consumers. Inception reports furnished by the consultants to their respective Vitran Nigams were examined and observations / comments of the Commission were sent to the Vitran Nigams on 23.3.2002 for compliance.
ii. Metering Plan & Metering Code- The Commission had directed the Vitran Nigams to improve the system of metering of energy supplied to consumers. The Vitran Nigams were to prepare a Metering Plan and a Metering Code. The Metering Plan was to contain short term and long term planning for procurement of various classes of meters for consumers as well as supply feeders. The Metering Code was to specify methodology and uniformity in installation of meters. The Vitran Nigams had submitted the Metering Code, which is being revised by them, in view of observations and comments offered by the Commission.
7. Directions to RVPN under Tariff Order
A meeting was also held with CMD, RVPN on 15.9.01 to review the progress in complying the directions given by the Commission in the tariff order dated 24th March 2001in respect of bulk supply power to Vitran Nigams.
Present status in respect of some important activities is as follows:
i. Metering Code for Rajasthan Grid- RVPN furnished ‘Draft Metering Code’ on 10.1.2001. RVPN submitted a revised draft on 19.9.2001, incorporating the initial comments offered by the Commission and after holding discussions with Nigams & RVUN. Comments on the revised draft were sent to RVPN on 24.11.2001. The Commission has finalised the draft of the metering code for Rajasthan Grid & has invited suggestions/comments from the consumers & others.
ii. Conceptual Two-Part Tariff- The Commission in its Bulk Supply Tariff order Dt. 24.3.2001 had indicated that it would introduce two-part tariff with effect from 1.4.2002 for the financial year 2002-03. RVPN had been directed to take all preparatory steps for introducing two-part tariff, making trial runs and collect all necessary data for its effective implementation. A conceptual paper prepared by the Commission was sent to RVPN on 30.4.2001. A revised draft incorporating RVPN comments was sent to RVPN and the three distribution companies on 22.12.2001 for comments. Introduction of two part Grid tariff will be considered at the time of next tariff review.
8. Review Petitions
During the year 2001-02 four petitions for review of Commission tariff order dated 24.3.2001were received in the Commission. After hearing the petitioners and the Vidyut Vitran Nigams, the Commission decided two petitions filed by President, Rajasthan Ginning and Pressing Industries Association, Sri Ganganagar and Divisional Railway Manager (Electrical) Western Railway, Jaipur.
The other petitions filed by RIICO Ltd., Jaipur and Jaipur Nagar Nigam, Jaipur have been admitted by the Commission and have been fixed for hearing.
9. Petition by NTPC
A petition has been filed by NTPC, Jaipur seeking an order from the Commission for safeguarding payments to NTPC by RVPN for electricity purchased by the latter. The petition has been fixed for hearing on its maintainability.
10. Writ petitions / Appeals
Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Jaipur has filed a civil writ in Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur bench in the month of November 01(No. DBCW 4340/2001) against the Tariff Order dated 24.3.2001.
An appeal has been filed by Ajmer Zila Laghu Udyog Sangh against the Commission tariff order dated 24th March 2001.The writ petition and the appeal are pending in the High Court.
11. ARR and next tariff filing
As per RERC regulation transmission and distribution companies are required to furnish to the Commission, annual statement of accounts and also prepare annual reports and statistics in prescribed forms by 31st October and expected aggregate revenue requirement for ensuing year during 15th to 31st December every year. Transmission and distribution companies can also make a petition for revision of tariff ordinarily between 15th and 31st December. No company submitted the Annual Revenue Requirement due to delay in finalisation of the transfer Scheme. Time extension was granted to all companies for filing Annual Revenue Requirement.
12. Other Regulatory Functions
In discharging its duties and performing its functions, the Commission also took the following measures:
(i) Wheeling & Banking Agreement (WBA) with M/s RSMML Udaipur for 4.9 MW wind farm
RVPN has sent a copy of the Wheeling & Banking Agreement (WBA) executed with M/s RSMML Udaipur for 4.9 MW Wind farm at Barabagh Distt. Jaisalmer on 29.8.2001. Commission has asked for salient technical particulars and single line diagram, cost of augmentation of sub station capacity and transmission lines.
(ii) Power Purchase Agreement executed by RVPN with M/s Kalani Industries Ltd.
PPA executed by RVPN & Jodhpur VVNL with M/s Kalani Industries for 2.76 MW Wind farm at Barabagh Distt. Jaisalmer was received from RVPN on 14.3.2001. Commission’s comments on the same were sent on 20.6.2001.
13.Consumer grievances
The Commission received 85 communications from public persons, non-govt. organisations, social groups, industries associations and individuals on various problems/suggestions /grievances relating to energy sector. The Commission examined every letter where necessary after obtaining comments of the concerned Nigam and took appropriate action.
The Commission also received 25 representations about alleged wrong interpretations by Vitran Nigams of Tariff orders issued by the Commission. These representations were examined and necessary action taken .
14.State Govt’s policy directive - Non-Conventional Energy
Government of Rajasthan sought comments of the Commission on proposed ‘Policy for promoting Generation of Power from Non Conventional Energy Sources like Biomass & other Wastes.’ Comments of the Commission were sent on 10.5.2001.
Government of Rajasthan in the larger public interest issued policy directive to RERC for promoting Generation of power from Non conventional energy sources on 12.11.01. As per directives wheeling charges shall be 2% of energy fed into the distribution system or grid and procurement of power from non-conventional source shall be upto ceiling level of 10% of installed capacity of generating stations owned by the State by 2005.
Government of Rajasthan had sought Commission’s advice in respect of certain relaxations for non-conventional source based power plants like exemption from licence, term of licence, third party sale etc. Advice of the Commission was conveyed on 17.1.2002.
15.Commission Advisory Committee
The Commission after consultation with the State Govt., constituted the Commission Advisory Committee on 25th June 2001, comprising of 21 members.
The first meeting of the Commission Advisory Committee was held on 25th August 2001.
16.Investment Approval
The Commission is to regulate the investment approval for transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to the entities operating within the State. The Commission has examined the proposals from the companies and accorded its approval for investment plan pertaining to the year 2001-02.
17.Regulation of Power Purchase and Procurement process
RVPN was asked to prepare a consolidated document to act as a reference manual for power purchase procedure and load despatch. Consolidated draft was received on 29.9.2001. Based on this, ‘Power Purchase & Procurement Process Regulations’ were prepared and are under consideration of the Commission.
18.Safety Code
The Commission has to frame & enforce safety standards. RVPN and three Vitran Nigams were requested to furnish draft safety standards. Ajmer VVNL sent the draft on 27.2.02 which was forwarded to RVPN, Jaipur & Jodhpur VVNL for comments. Jodhpur VVNL sent draft safety standards on 27.3.2002. Comments / drafts from RVPN & Jaipur VVNL are awaited.
19.Forms for furnishing Annual Revenue Requirement & Tariff
Forms for furnishing Annual Revenue Requirement & tariff proposals were revised for Transmission Company and for furnishing information by Generating Company on 7th January 2002.
20.Electricity Bill 2001
Comments on Draft Electricity Bill 2001 were sent on 6.10.2001 to Director Standing Committee on Energy Lok Sabha Secretariat.
21.Meetings of the Commission
The Commission held 16 meetings at Jaipur for conducting its business.
22.Forum of Indian Regulators
The Commission is a member of the Forum of Indian Regulators of which the Central Electricity regulatory Commission and all State Electricity Regulatory Commissions are members. This forum meets periodically and provides an occasion for all Regulatory Commissions to exchange views about latest developments in the sector both nationally & internationally. Members of the Commission have been regularly participating in the meetings of the Forum.
23.Staff of the Commission
The sanction strength of Commission is 31 comprises of one Secretary, one Joint Secretary (Tariff), four Dy. Secretaries, one Asstt. Secretary, 16 Executive Assistants and 8 Class-IV employees. 26 nos. of employees are presently working.
24.Human Resource Development
The Commission is fully aware of the present need for Human Resource Development. All the four Dy. Secretaries presently working in the Commission have been deputed from time to time for training, seminars, conferences etc. within the country depending upon utility and relevance of the same in the functioning of the Commission. One Dy. Secretary was sent abroad for training programme (7-18 May 2001) conducted and financed by the US Aid.
25.Budget of the Commission
For the year 2001-02 there was a budget provisions of Rs. 99.43 Lac. The actual expenditure was Rs. 77.00 Lac (provisional). The Commission has also recovered a sum of Rs. 2.30 lacs during the year 2001-02 on account of review petition fees, fees for sale of copies of tariff petition, tariff orders and other misc. charges. Rent for office accommodation of the Commission has not yet been finalised with RVPN and this liability will be discharged when rent is finalised.