The Power Minister has formed a dispute resolution committee to resolve unforeseen disputes between renewable energy players and government agencies. It will address disputes between the solar/wind power developers and the Solar Energy Corporation of India/NTPC.

This committee is comprised of three former civil servants, MF Farooqui (former DOT Secretary/ Heavy Industry Secretary), Anil Swarup (former Coal Secretary/School Education Secretary) and A K Dubey (former Sports Secretary).

The decision to set up the committee was announced earlier this month. This mechanism covers all those projects that would be implemented through or by SECI and NTPC.

“It is felt that there is need to erect a transparent, unbiased dispute resolution mechanism, consisting of an independent, transparent and unbiased DRC), for resolving the unforeseen disputes that may arise in implementation of contractual agreements and also for dealing with issues which are beyond the scope of contractual agreements between solar power developers/ wind power developers and SECI / NTPC,” an MNRE office order had said.

The DRC will examine all such cases referred to it, including the cases where the developer is not satisfied with the decision of SECI or NTPC and it decides to appeal after paying the required fee. The order said the recommendations of the DRC, along with the MNRE’s observations, will be placed before the new and renewable energy minister for final decision.

To arrive at any decision, the Committee will be free to interact with the relevant parties of the case and shall record their views. No lawyer shall be permitted to present the case before the DRC, the MNRE order added.

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