East Central Railway’s Long Term Open Access Dispute in Bihar Awaits Supreme Court VerdictThe East Central Railway (ECR) is facing legal challenges regarding open access charges levied by the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (SBPDCL). ECR had sought directions from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for open access, while SBPDCL requested directions to collect applicable...
more... charges, including the Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS), along with arrears and interest.
Due to an ongoing case at the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) regarding Indian Railways' liability to pay CSS, the CERC decided to suspend further hearings on the SBPDCL case until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict on the matter. The Supreme Court has issued an interim order stating that the Railways are not required to pay the CSS or additional surcharges until the final decision, but this is limited to the parties involved in the appeal.
The respondents in the current case have requested additional time to file written submissions and the next hearing is scheduled for June 11, 2024. The outcome of this case will impact ECR's operations and the broader open access regulations within the electricity sector. The interim period, while providing temporary relief to ECR, also introduces uncertainty until the final Supreme Court decision clarifies the financial responsibilities and operational protocols for open access users.
East Central Railway (ECR) ko open access charges ke liye legal problem a raha hai. South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (SBPDCL) se ECR ko NOC (No Objection Certificate) chahiye tha, lekin SBPDCL ne charges collect karne ke liye directions maangi thi. Isme Cross-Subsidy Surcharge (CSS) bhi include hai.
Ab, Appellate...
more... Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) mein Indian Railways ke CSS paying ke matter pe case chal raha hai, isliye CERC ne SBPDCL case ke hearings ko Supreme Court ke final verdict tak rok diya hai. Supreme Court ne interim order diya hai ki Railways ko CSS ya extra charges nahi dena hai final decision tak, lekin yeh sirf appeal mein involved parties ke liye hai.
Respondents ne written submissions karne ke liye extra time maanga hai, aur next hearing 11 June 2024 ko hai. Is case ka result ECR ke operations aur electricity sector mein open access regulations pe impact padega. Is interim period mein ECR ko temporary relief hai, lekin final decision tak uncertainty bhi hai. Supreme Court ka final decision open access users ke liye financial responsibilities aur operating protocols clear karega.
