(a) the details of Appellate Tribunals for electricity and energy conservation functioning in the country, State-wise;
(b) the number of cases filed with and disposed of by them during the last three years, State-wise; and
(c) the reason for pending cases along with steps taken to clear them?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) & (b) : Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) was established by the Central Government under section 110 of the Electricity Act 2003 to hear appeals against the orders of the Appropriate Commission under the said Act. APTEL also functions as appellate tribunal for petroleum and natural gas sector under section 30 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act 2006. With the enactment of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2010, appellate functions of the energy conservation matter are also within the jurisdiction of APTEL.
The number of cases (appeals) filed and disposed off by APTEL is given in Annex.
(c) : The main reasons for pending cases are: adjournment sought by the Advocates or by the parties for filing their replies, written submissions, affidavits, counter affidavits, etc. In order to clear the cases, APTEL is reducing the time given to the Advocates as well as the adjournments sought in the cases. Some delay was also on account of a vacancy of member, which has subsequently been filled.