Energy Sector Reforms 'Provisions of Electricity Act - 2003 Consumer Focused and Competitive Approach'

- People Oriented Guidance ઃ HS Patel (IAS Retired)

The discovery of electricity is one of the important factors in the development of mankind. At present, the existence of life is not possible without the consumption of electricity as electricity is at the center as a driving force in all fields. Along with the discovery of electricity, the source, type, regulation of energy is the most important thing and as the use of electricity is increasing day by day all over the world, alternative sources of energy and especially non-conventional sources of energy e.g. Solar energy, wind etc. The Regulating Act which was enacted during the British rule in our country in which the Indian Penal Code, Land Revenue Code etc., similarly regulating electricity was enacted in 1910. Which was primarily a law regulating licensing and at that time electricity was used in progressive kingdoms e.g. Baroda, Gondal, Bhavnagar etc. as well as the town area of ​​the British rule. After independence, Electricity Supply Act-18 was enacted. In which the Electricity Boards of the states were formed at the national level and especially as part of electrification of villages. In order to get out of this situation and to run the energy sector on an apolitical basis, the old Electricity Act 1910 was replaced by the Electricity Act-003.

The main purpose of this law is to ensure that the electricity consumer gets quality and uninterrupted electricity at a reasonable price. At the same time, there is a provision that electricity tariffs should be fixed in a transparent manner after giving the opportunity to the consumers to make representations by the Regulatory Commission.

The main structural changes proposed in this Act as part of efficiency increase are to split the existing Electricity Board (unbundling of Electricity Board) and accordingly separate Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution. Suggested for privatization and under this Act power distribution in many states was completely privatized. E.g. In Delhi, Orissa, all over the country, under the Electricity Act 1910, licenses have been issued to private power companies in areas like Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Jamshedpur. E.g. AEC in Ahmedabad, currently Torrent, BEST in Mumbai, currently Reliance in Delhi, Reliance, Tata Power etc. If we discuss the energy sector of Gujarat State, Gujarat Electricity Board was formed on 1-6-190 from Mumbai State and Gujarat Electricity Board The administration also ran well, thanks to the foresight of the then chairman. E.g. Dr. Kurien, H. like this. Patel etc. The financial condition of the board started deteriorating from 19 and then the losses gradually increased. The Government of Gujarat also passed the 2002 Act for the reorganization of the Gujarat Electricity Board as part of the Power Sector Reforms, which was implemented in the highest form with the enactment of the Electricity Act of India 2006. Amo was the Secretary of the Gujarat Electricity Board during the crucial period of unbundling power of the Gujarat Electricity Board and during that period special efforts were initiated to reduce the power theft of the Electricity Board. The board's own police stations were started.

Seven companies including Gujarat Energy Development Corporation (GUVNL) were formed under the auspices of Gujarat Electricity Board and GSECL as power generation company, GETCO as power transmission and four companies as power distribution company DGVCL - MGVCL - UGVCL and PGVCL were presented as area and Currently in operation and after corporateization in Gujarat, by taking various special measures as per the provisions of Electricity Act 2006, the energy sector of Gujarat is operating efficiently as compared to other states and also making a reasonable profit.

The most important organ in the energy sector is the power distribution system and the main reason is to provide Affordab with affordable quality and reliable power supply to the customer at affordable rates i.e. to achieve this objective all the organs of the power sector to generate power, electricity. The efficiency of transmission and distribution of electricity needs to be enhanced and the distribution of electricity is called an important value chain in which the power supply is properly metered, billed, charged and reduced in electricity loans and according to the new definition AT&C - Aggregate Technical and Commercial loss. Is called. Gujarat's energy sector reform is exemplary for the entire country.

Now, as part of bringing a competitive element in the power distribution sector as per the new law amendment, a law has been passed to provide power to consumers from any private power distribution company as part of Carriage and Content approach, which if properly implemented will be in the interest of consumers. But the biggest challenge is the policy decision on the supply of electricity in rural areas and the supply of electricity to agriculture. In Gujarat, Jyotigram Yojana has been instrumental in formulating and implementing the policy of providing 24 hours electricity to the villages during our long term energy duties.