Himachal: Power Board Employees Challenge Notification Granting Powers to Energy Management Centre
Shimla, August 23, 2025 — The Joint Front of employees and engineers of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEBL) has filed a petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, challenging the government notification dated June 9, 2025. The notification authorizes the Himachal Pradesh Energy Management Centre (HPEMC) to handle power procurement and undertake various operational responsibilities.
The petitioners allege that this move encroaches upon the jurisdiction of the HPSEBL and the Himachal Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre (HPSLDC). While they do not object to the HPEMC engaging in electricity trading, they claim that such activities may disrupt grid operations, potentially hampering electricity supply to consumers.
The petition argues that the notification contravenes the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and established regulatory frameworks. The Central Government has already designated 32 agencies for grid monitoring, rendering this new notification redundant and legally questionable.
A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Sushil Kukreja has issued notices to the state government and all 12 respondents, including central electricity authorities and regulatory commissions. The state government has been granted four weeks to file its response. The case will come up for hearing again on September 26, 2025.
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