Electricity Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide
Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2003
Section 83 of Electricity Act: Electricity Supply & Regulatory Procedure
Official Bare Act Text
Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary
(1)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 82, a Joint Commission may be constituted by an agreement to be entered into—
(a)by two or more Governments of States; or
(b)by the Central Government, in respect of one or more Union territories, and one or more Governments of States.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 83
Section 83 of the Act enables two or more State Governments, or the Central Government in respect of Union Territories, to constitute a Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) by mutual agreement.
Inter-State Joint Regulatory Architecture: Authorizes neighboring small States or Union Territories to establish a single shared regulatory commission to reduce administrative costs.
Formal Inter-Governmental Agreement Prerequisite: Requires the executing Governments to enter into a formal agreement governing the allocation of operational expenses, member appointments, and headquarters location.
Full Plenary Powers of a State Commission: Vests the Joint Commission with all powers, duties, and jurisdictions of a regular State Commission across all participating territories.
Key Landmark Precedents:
State of Gujarat v. Utility Users' Welfare Association (2018) 6 SCC 21: Supreme Court affirmed that Joint Commissions must conform to identical standards of judicial independence and legal qualification as individual State Commissions.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply v. MERC (2013) 4 SCC 71: Affirmed the statutory competence of Joint Commissions in determining retail distribution tariffs.
PTC India Ltd. v. CERC (2010) 4 SCC 603: Affirmed the constitutional validity of shared regulatory bodies under electricity reform statutes.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:
In Union Territories (such as Delhi, Chandigarh, or Puducherry), ensure tariff petitions and open-access applications are addressed to the designated JERC, reviewing the Joint Commission's specific procedural regulations for filing deadlines.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 83
Section 83 of the Act enables two or more State Governments, or the Central Government in respect of Union Territories, to constitute a Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) by mutual agreement.
In Union Territories (such as Delhi, Chandigarh, or Puducherry), ensure tariff petitions and open-access applications are addressed to the designated JERC, reviewing the Joint Commission's specific procedural regulations for filing deadlines.