Single-judge’s restraint on TNERC tariff order stayed

MADURAI: The Madurai bench of Madras High Court on Thursday granted interim stay on an order passed by the single bench restraining Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) from passing final order on the tariff petitions till a law Member is appointed.

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Energy Department in a petition appealing against the order sought interim stay on the orders issued by the court on August 23. If the interim stay is not granted, serious prejudice, irreparable loss and hardship will occur it submitted.

Earlier, several petitions sought the court not to hear petitions filed or pending before the TNERC until a Member-Legal is appointed by the state government based on the sponsoring of the candidates by the Selection Committee constituted for this purpose.

The TNERC should consist of not more than three Members, including the Chairperson. The petitioners contended that without there being a person of law as a Member of the Commission, the Commission could not hold its sittings.

A division bench of Justices SS Sundar and S Srimathy after hearing granted interim stay on the earlier orders and adjourned the case until further hearing.