Governance – Delhi Moves to Fill Key Regulatory Posts After Court Directive
Governance – The process of appointing a new chairperson and two members to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has gained momentum after recent directions from the Supreme Court. According to an official order, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has approved the formation of a committee responsible for selecting candidates for the vacant positions. The move comes amid judicial scrutiny over delays in filling important posts within the state’s power regulatory body.
Supreme Court Sets Timeline for Appointments
On Friday, the Supreme Court instructed the newly established selection panel to proceed without delay and complete the appointment process within two months. The court emphasized the importance of ensuring that the regulatory authority functions with its full leadership structure in place.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, directed the committee to identify qualified candidates for the positions of chairperson and members. The judges noted the need for prompt action so that the commission can carry out its responsibilities effectively.
Government Notification Placed Before Court
During the proceedings, the court took note of a notification issued by the Delhi government stating that a search and selection committee had been constituted on May 27. The notification indicated that the committee was established in response to earlier judicial directions aimed at filling three vacant positions within the DERC.
The development was viewed as a significant step toward addressing long-pending vacancies that have affected the functioning of the electricity regulator. The court recorded the notification while reviewing the progress made by the administration.
Public Interest Litigation Triggered Review
The matter reached the Supreme Court through a public interest litigation filed by a non-governmental organization. The petition sought regular appointments to the DERC and requested the formation of a selection committee in accordance with provisions contained in Section 85 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The petitioner argued that the absence of a properly constituted commission could impact regulatory oversight in the power sector. The court subsequently monitored the issue and sought updates from the government regarding the appointment process.
Court Had Earlier Expressed Concern
At an earlier hearing held on May 25, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in establishing the selection mechanism. The bench observed that the DERC had been operating without a chairperson for nearly a year and remarked that the appointment process appeared to be making little progress.
Responding to the court’s concerns, counsel representing the Delhi government informed the bench during Friday’s hearing that a proposal for creating the selection committee had already been initiated on May 4. The court then directed the newly formed panel to complete the remaining steps within the specified timeframe.
Delhi High Court Upholds Advertising Limits
In a separate development on the same day, the Delhi High Court upheld regulations issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that restrict television advertisements to a maximum of 12 minutes per hour.
The court ruled that broadcasters cannot claim a constitutional right to maximize revenue from public resources. It observed that the advertising cap serves a larger public interest by maintaining a balance between programming content and commercial interruptions.
The judgment reinforces existing broadcasting standards and supports TRAI’s position that reasonable restrictions are necessary to protect viewer interests while ensuring fair use of public airwaves.