State assures HC it will fill MERC vacancy in 6 months

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has directed the state government to appoint a third member of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) that regulates the power sector in the state.

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court has directed the state government to appoint a third member of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) that regulates the power sector in the state. The state said it would fill the vacancy in six months.

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The three-member MERC has not had a full bench since September 12, 2010.

The Coordination Committee of Power Consumer Associations had taken the issue up with the high court alleging that the state was deliberating over delaying the appointment, though it is mandatory to start the appointment procedure six months before any member retires.

The coordination committee’s counsel, advocate Sandeep Chopde, pointed out to the court that the state had invited applications, but did not complete the recruitment procedure.

Following this, the government said the related documents were reduced to ashes in the Mantralaya blaze in June. It regretted the delay and assured new appointment in six months.

Pratap Hogade, chief of the coordination committee, said the state should be transparent when selecting candidates for the post.

“We expect the government would not go for a retired bureaucrat, but appoint a power expert with vast knowledge of the power sector,” he said.