Electricity Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide
Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2003
Section 88 of Electricity Act: Electricity Supply & Regulatory Procedure
Official Bare Act Text
Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary
The objects of the State Advisory Committee shall be to advise the State Commission on—
(a)major questions of policy;
(b)matters relating to quality, continuity and extent of service provided by the licensees;
(c)protection of consumer interest;
(d)electricity supply and overall standards of performance by utilities.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 88
Section 88 of the Act defines the statutory objects of the State Advisory Committee, mandating it to advise the State Commission on policy issues, service quality, compliance, and consumer protection within the State.
Advisory Role on State Energy Policy Matters: Directs the Committee to advise the Commission on retail tariff design, power procurement plans, and agricultural solarization.
Monitoring of Supply Quality & Outages: Requires the Committee to review distribution reliability indices, feeder segregation progress, and voltage stability in rural and semi-urban belts.
Advocacy for Consumer Grievance Efficiency: Mandates continuous appraisal of Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRF) and the Electricity Ombudsman's performance.
Key Landmark Precedents:
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply v. MERC (2013) 4 SCC 71: Supreme Court affirmed that the statutory objects under Section 88 safeguard consumer interests and enhance distribution accountability.
West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission v. CESC Ltd. (2002) 8 SCC 715: Supreme Court emphasized that advisory scrutiny is vital to prevent utility inefficiency from being passed on to consumers.
PTC India Ltd. v. CERC (2010) 4 SCC 603: Affirmed that advisory inputs provide critical ground-level feedback to specialized regulatory bodies.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:
Consumer representatives should submit agenda items under Section 88 documenting systemic delays in CGRF complaint disposal, compelling the Commission to issue compliance directions to defaulting distribution licensees.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 88
Section 88 of the Act defines the statutory objects of the State Advisory Committee, mandating it to advise the State Commission on policy issues, service quality, compliance, and consumer protection within the State.
Consumer representatives should submit agenda items under Section 88 documenting systemic delays in CGRF complaint disposal, compelling the Commission to issue compliance directions to defaulting distribution licensees.