Functions of the Commission

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall be responsible to discharge amongst others the following functions, namely:- (a) to aid and advise, in matters concerning electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply in the State; (b) to regulate the working of the licensees and to promote their working in an efficient, economical and equitable manner including laying down standards of performance for the licensees in regard to services to consumers; (c) to issue licences in accordance with the provisions of this Act and determine the conditions to be included in the licences; (d) to promote efficiency, economy and safety in the use of the electricity in the State including and in particular in regard to quality, continuity and reliability of service and enable to meet all such reasonable demands for electricity; (e) to regulate the purchase, distribution, supply and utilisation of electricity, the quality of service, the tariff and charges payable keeping in view both the interest of the consumer as well as the consideration that the supply and distribution cannot be maintained unless the charges for the electricity supplied are adequately levied and duly collected; (f) to promote competitiveness and progressively involve the participation of private sector, while ensuring fair deal to the customers; (g) to collect data and forecast on the demand and use of electricity and to require the licensees to collect such data and forecast; (h) to require licensees to formulate perspective plans and schemes in co-ordination with others for the promotion of generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity; (i) to regulate the assets, properties and interest in properties concerning or related to the electricity industry in the State; (j) to lay down a uniform system of accounts among the licensees; (k) to regulate working of licensees and promote their working in an efficient economical and equitable manner; and (l) to undertake all incidental or ancillary things. (2) The Commission shall always act consistent with the objectives and purposes for which the Commission has been established as an independent statutory body corporate and all acts, decisions and orders of the Commission shall be pursuant to and shall seek to achieve such objectives and purposes. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions, of section 52 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 or the provisions of section 3 (1) (ii) and section 76 of the Electricity (supply) Act, 1948, the Commission shall have the power to act as arbitrator or nominate arbitrator or arbitrators to adjudicate and settle the disputes arising between the licenses in accordance with the regulations to be prescribed and this shall be a condition precedent of the grant of licences.