Dogra hits out at SAD-BJP over PSERC's decision on dispute

AAP leader Chander Suta Dogra criticised Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission's (PSERC) decision to appoint two members from the public to its circle and divisional dispute settlement panels and accused SAD-BJP alliance of appointing party workers to the panels.
Overruling its previous decision of 2015, where a similar proposal of the government was struck down, PSERC approved appointing of two members from the public for the circle and divisional settlement committees, she said.
"Instead of engineers of Punjab State Power Corporation, now chairpersons of these committees will be from the general public who will be appointed by the deputy commissioners," Dogra said.

She described this decision as against the provisions of the Electricity Act of 2003 and PSERC (Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations of 2005
"PSERC has not provided any check or safeguard against misuse of authority, nepotism or favouritism in appointment of these persons or their functioning for extraneous considerations," she alleged.
The AAP leader alleged that the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, as per its "well thought out plan", will use these appointees for "political purposes" ahead of the state elections next year, as they will decide disputes according to "political affiliation" of consumers.

"The new system of functioning of the dispute settlement committees will further aggravate consumers' problems and make them travel to Patiala, for resolution of their disputes instead of having these resolved at door step," Dogra claimed.

"This is because, instead of taking decisions by majority, now any member will be able to veto a unanimous decision of the committee which will then be decided by the forum in Patiala. In other words people from other political parties will be harassed with non-resolution of their disputes in the name of public interest," she alleged.
"The PSERC, under the present chairperson, has accepted the government's proposal with minor changes. AAP has demanded that the old system of dispute resolving where engineers from the PSPCL were the chairpersons should be immediately restored," Dogra said.