Supreme Court defers oath-taking ceremony of Delhi power panel chief, issues notice to Centre

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the oath-taking ceremony of Justice (retired) Umesh Kumar as the chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). The court also issued a notice to the Centre on a petition filed by the Delhi government challenging a provision of the 2023 Ordinance through which Kumar was appointed.


The Delhi government had challenged the ordinance, saying that it gave overriding powers to the Lieutenant Governor over the elected government in appointments. The government argued that the ordinance was unconstitutional and that it violated the Delhi Electricity Act, 2000.


The Supreme Court has now asked the Centre to file its response to the petition by July 11. The court has also asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit explaining why the oath-taking ceremony should not be held until the matter is decided.


The decision to defer the oath-taking ceremony is a setback for the Centre, which had hoped to see Kumar take charge of the DERC soon. The DERC is responsible for regulating the electricity sector in Delhi and ensuring that consumers get a fair deal.


The Supreme Court's decision is also a victory for the Delhi government, which has been at loggerheads with the Centre over the issue of power. The government has argued that the Centre is trying to undermine its authority in the power sector.


The Supreme Court's decision will be closely watched by other state governments, which are also facing similar challenges from the Centre. The decision could have implications for the power sector across the country.


Key points:


  • The Supreme Court has deferred the oath-taking ceremony of Justice (retired) Umesh Kumar as the chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).
  • The court has also issued a notice to the Centre on a petition filed by the Delhi government challenging a provision of the 2023 Ordinance through which Kumar was appointed.
  • The Delhi government had challenged the ordinance, saying that it gave overriding powers to the Lieutenant Governor over the elected government in appointments.
  • The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to file its response to the petition by July 11.
  • The court has also asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit explaining why the oath-taking ceremony should not be held until the matter is decided.
  • The decision to defer the oath-taking ceremony is a setback for the Centre, which had hoped to see Kumar take charge of the DERC soon.
  • The decision is also a victory for the Delhi government, which has been at loggerheads with the Centre over the issue of power.
  • The Supreme Court's decision will be closely watched by other state governments, which are also facing similar challenges from the Centre.
  • The decision could have implications for the power sector across the country.