Evolution of legal framework and regulatory challenges in the context of Indian power sector reform

Abstract

The paper aims to give an overview of Indian power sector with some historical background and traces the development of regulation of electricity starting with the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act 1910, the Electricity (Supply) Act 1948, Indian Electricity Regulatory Act 1998 and the Electricity Act 2003. They gave authority to central and state governments to regulate power sector. The Regulatory Act 1998 empowers the respective government for tariff fixation and certain licensing. Still, there are some difficulties and challenges for the regulatory institutions, which need to be resolved. Also, the overall reforms so far in the different states of India have been highlighted and finally some concluding remarks have been presented.