Notification of Search cum selection committee in respect of appointment of Members in APTEL.

## Report on Notification Regarding the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 5646(E)) issued by the Ministry of Power on December 2, 2022. The notification establishes a Search-cum-Selection Committee to recommend candidates for the positions of Judicial and Technical Members of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). The committee's composition and responsibilities are outlined, emphasizing its role in ensuring qualified appointments to APTEL. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of Notification S.O. 5646(E), issued by the Ministry of Power on December 2, 2022, based solely on the content of the provided text. It details the establishment of a Search-cum-Selection Committee for the appointment of Judicial and Technical Members to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). **3. Policy Overview:** * This appears to be a **new policy**, establishing a committee rather than amending an existing document. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to establish a mechanism for identifying and recommending qualified candidates for the positions of Judicial and Technical Members of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). This aims to ensure the tribunal is staffed with competent individuals. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **New Policy:** Given this is a new policy establishing a committee, the likely problem it addresses is ensuring a fair and rigorous selection process for key positions within APTEL. Without such a committee, appointments might be perceived as less transparent or based on factors other than merit. The Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, likely necessitates or encourages this structured approach to appointments. **5. Key Provisions:** * The notification constitutes a Search-cum-Selection Committee. * The committee is tasked with recommending a panel of two names for each position of Judicial and Technical Member of APTEL. * The Committee's Composition is as follows: * Hon'ble Mr. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Judge of the Supreme Court (Chairperson) * Chairperson, APTEL (Member) * Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Member) * Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (Member) * Secretary, Ministry of Power (Member-Secretary) * The committee is responsible for determining its own procedure for making recommendations. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders include: * **Potential candidates** for Judicial and Technical Member positions within APTEL. * **The Central Government**, specifically the Ministry of Power, which receives the committee's recommendations and makes the final appointments. * **The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL)** itself, as the effectiveness of the tribunal depends on the qualifications and expertise of its members. * **The Power Sector and related Industries:** A well-functioning APTEL directly affects the resolution of disputes and regulatory certainty within the industry. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Power is ultimately responsible for implementing the policy through the Search-cum-Selection Committee. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification does not specify timelines. The committee determines its own procedure for making recommendations. The Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 likely imposes some constraints although these are not described in the provided text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome is likely to ensure the appointment of highly qualified and suitable individuals to the Judicial and Technical Member positions at APTEL. This, in turn, should lead to: * Improved decision-making and expertise within APTEL. * Increased public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the tribunal. * More efficient and effective resolution of disputes within the electricity sector. **9. Conclusion:** Notification S.O. 5646(E) represents a procedural step towards ensuring the competence and integrity of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity by establishing a Search-cum-Selection Committee. The committee's formation aims to streamline the appointment process for key positions and ultimately contribute to the efficient and effective operation of APTEL, which has significant implications for the entire power sector.

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