Bhubaneswar, June 10: Sudhanshu Sekhar Barpanda was sworn in as the Member, Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), at a ceremony held at OERC on Wednesday here.
However, the post of Chairperson in the commission continues to remain vacant after the resignation former Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena last month. Biswajit Mohanty remained in the Commission as the second member.
With Barpanda’s joining, the Commission will now have two members.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, senior officials of the Energy Department, and Members of the Commission.
The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission plays a pivotal role in regulating the power sector in the State, including tariff determination, licensing, consumer protection, and promoting efficiency, competition, and renewable energy integration in the electricity sector.
With his vast administrative experience, Barpanda’s induction as Member is expected to further strengthen the Commission’s functioning and contribute to Odisha’s power sector reforms, energy security, and consumer-centric governance in line with the vision of Viksit Odisha.
Senior officials of the Energy Department, OHPC, GRIDCO, OPTCL, OERC, and representatives from power sector utilities attended the swearing-in ceremony.
The OERC is a three-member Commission headed by the Chairperson. The Commission has four Divisions namely, Tariff, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs and Secretariat Division.
