India, June 15 -- The Delhi government has initiated the process to fill key vacancies in the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), inviting applications for the posts of chairperson and two members of the electricity watchdog. According to a notice issued by the Power Department on Saturday, eligible candidates with expertise in fields such as engineering, finance, commerce, economics, law and management can apply for the positions. Applications must be submitted via email to the Special Secretary (Power) at power.dercappointment@gmail.com by July 3. The move comes after the Delhi government constituted a three-member selection committee last month, headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice S.L. Bhayana, to oversee the appointment process. The committee has been tasked with recommending two names each for the posts of chairperson and members from among the eligible applicants.
The post of DERC chairperson has remained vacant for nearly a year following the retirement of Justice (Retd.) Umesh Kumar in July 2025. In the absence of a chairperson, the commission's functioning has been managed by its two serving members, Surender Babbar and Ram Naresh Singh. Officials said the prolonged vacancy has affected several crucial regulatory functions, including the annual determination of electricity tariffs in the national capital. The commission is also dealing with the recovery of pending dues amounting to nearly Rs 38,500 crore from Delhi's three power distribution companies. As per the notification, the chairperson and members will hold office for a term of five years from the date of assuming charge or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They will receive a monthly salary of Rs 2.25 lakh, subject to adjustment against any pension being drawn by them. The appointments are expected to restore the commission's full strength and expedite pending regulatory decisions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.