Indian Polity : Tribunals

Q 4 / 4

UPSC CSE Prelims 2006

Consider the following statements:

  1. Appellate Tribunal for Electricity has been established by each state government in India.
  2. One of the components of the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) is upgradation of sub-transmission and distribution system for electricity in India.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

Statement 2 is correct.

The Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), launched by the Government of India in 2000-01, was designed to improve the power sector. Its key objectives and components included:

  • Upgradation and strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution systems.
  • Reduction of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses.
  • Establishment of energy accounting and auditing mechanisms.

Therefore, the upgradation of sub-transmission and distribution systems was a core component of APDRP.

Incorrect Options

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) was established under Section 110 of the Electricity Act, 2003. It functions as a single, centralised body with jurisdiction across India. Its primary role is to hear appeals against the orders of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and various State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). It is not established by individual state governments; rather, it is a national tribunal.

SOURCEIndian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 40: Tribunals, India Year Book 2006, Chapter on Energy