Power regulator adjourns hearing of requests

The state power regulator on Thursday adjourned a suo motu hearing to address requests from consumers from the island city who want to switch to Tata Power Company.

The state power regulator on Thursday adjourned a suo motu hearing to address requests from consumers from the island city who want to switch to Tata Power Company.

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The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity directive last month allowed island city consumers to change their supplier.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking supplies power to south Mumbai.

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, had stayed the directive of the appellate tribunal allowing island city consumers to switch from BEST to Tata Power.

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period in view of the Supreme Court order.

Last year, in response to a petition by hotelier Guruprasad Shetty, the power regulator had directed Tata Power to provide power to Shetty’s commercial establishments within a year.

Objecting to the directive, the BEST moved the appellate tribunal arguing that the regulator does not have the jurisdiction to decide on the matter.

The tribunal, in February, dismissed the undertaking’s petition, saying that it should not deprive users of cheap power supply.

The BEST then moved the Supreme Court, which, too, stayed the tribunal’s directive. The Supreme Court said it would hear the matter and then decide. Until then, migration from BEST to Tata Power will not be allowed.

Shetty said: “We don’t know what will happen in the matter. We will have to wait for the Supreme Court to decide.”