Reporter’s diary: Do power, influence secure top jobs in TNERC?

After S Akshaya Kumar retired as chairman of the commission in June, the process to select a new chairperson began in July.

M Chandrasekar, who retired as the director generation of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation on July 31, was appointed as the chairperson of the TNERC on August 16 much to the surprise of many. Interestingly, he was the successive chairperson to be appointed immediately after the superannuation from the service in the electricity board. TNERC is the regulator of the power sector with quasi-judicial powers.

Interestingly, outgoing chairperson Akshaya Kumar was the managing director of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation before his appointment to the commission.

The whispers in the Tangedco was that the former employee is a close associate of an influential AIADMK minister who secured his appointment. Some also say that he is a relative of a retired Supreme Court judge who hails from the Western District and have considerable influence in both the state and the central governments.

What surprises the private power producers is that the how independent would be the functioning of the commission if the retired Tangedco employees are given the post?