Power ministry initiates action plan to ease compliance issues

Governmental organisations plan efforts to reduce the regulatory compliance burden of the consumers and industries.

The government had launched a Regulatory Compliance Portal (https:// eodbrcp.dipp.gov.in), a central online repository of all central and state-level compliances to reduce the regulatory compliance burden of citizens and businesses. During 2021, Ministry of Power had eased compliances related to seventy-nine issues affecting industry and consumer, and for 2022, it has initiated a fresh exercise by preparing an Action Plan, in two phases. The first phase will continue till 31^st Mar, 2022 while the second phase will continue till 15^th Aug, 2022.

R.K Singh, Union Minister, Power recently reviewed the Action Plans of 2022 of Ministry of Power and its Sub Nodal Organisation (SNOs) i.e. BEE, CTU, POSOCO, CEA and CERC, following which, the governmental organisations has further decided to initiate few significant measures including the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It has simplified the implementation of the Standards & Labelling (S&L) program. It had also introduced digitalisation and online tracking of status of application for manufacturers.

Moreover, a helpdesk has been created to resolve grievances of Designated Consumers (DCs). In the second phase of the Action Plan for 2022, BEE also plans to introduce QR code based labels to strengthen star labelling and also to bring transparency for consumers, extend the validity of ESCerts till the date it is traded, and introduce online Reporting of Energy and Production related data under PAT (Perform, Achieve and Trade).

Secondly, the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) has eased Connectivity Bank Guarantee under revised RE procedure unlocking about ₹400 Cr for RE developers, which is more of a positive step towards RE development in the country. Further, CTU has made available an alternate mode of Payment for avoiding BG Encashment for RE Developers. About 240 nos. of existing Transmission lines have been made Go-Live on PM Gati Shakti Portal. This will help in better planning and approval for new transmission lines.

Thirdly, the Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) has enhanced the Validity of registration for REC from 5 years to 10 years. National Open Access Registry (NOAR) will be launched to facilitate single point access to stakeholders for approval for transacting power. NOAR will further be integrated with single window system. POSOCO has formulated a ‘Procedure for STOA in Interstate Transmission through NOAR’ to facilitate seamless and quick implementation of web based processing of pan India Open Access Transactions.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has abolished furnishing of various formats related to filing of statistics, returns and information; and amended the regulations related to safety requirements for construction, operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines in the first phase of the 2022 EoDB-RCB exercise.

• In the second phase, CEA will obtain feedback from industries/ stakeholders for easing the compliance burden on them. A committee has also been set up for the purpose. Further, CEA will be making online portals for collecting information, giving clearances and approvals, under this stage.
• In the first phase, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has notified the Ancillary Services Regulation repealing the earlier one. The new regulation provides for the provision of primary, secondary, tertiary and other ancillary services and is expected to benefit the entity/consumer connected to the grid. In the second phase, CERC is proposing to introduce new transmission access regulations. The Commission will also be revamping the Renewable Energy Certificate Regulations for promoting renewable energy in the country in this phase.

R K Singh appreciated the efforts initiated by the Ministry and its organisations in reducing the regulatory compliance burden of the consumers and industries. He expressed that the exercise should be conducted at state level as well and uploaded on the RCB Portal for the benefit of all customers and stakeholders.

Ease of Doing Business-Reducing Compliance Burden (EoDB-RCB) is a program of Government of India to reduce the regulatory compliance burden on citizens and businesses. The EoDB-RCB exercise focuses on reducing compliances related to Licenses/Certificates/ Permissions, Renewals, Inspections, Returns/Filings, Registers/Records, Decriminalisation, and involves assessment of regulations including repeal of redundant laws.

***