Several ex-chiefs of power dept, UPPCL in race to UPERC crown

LUCKNOW: Who will be the next chairman of UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC)? The question has started doing the rounds as the tenure of incumbent UPERC chief RP Singh comes to an end later this month.
While a formal appointment of the new UP electricity regulator may take some time, TOI has learnt that a host of senior IAS officers, both serving and retired, are in contention. Many of them, interestingly, have headed the energy department as additional chief secretary or principal secretary in the past or been the chairman or MD of the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL).
A UPERC chairman serves for a period of five years or till the age of 65, whichever is earlier. The appointment is done by a panel comprising a judge of the Allahabad high court, UP's chief secretary and chairman of Central Electricity Regulatory commission (CERC).
Sources said that a 1988 batch IAS officer, who is currently on Central deputation, is the front runner for the post. He is due to retire this month only. Another senior IAS officer of 1987 batch, who is due to retire in August, too, is reportedly in the contention. Incidentally, RP Singh, the 1983 batch officer, had taken a VRS to take the charge of UPERC chairman in 2018.
Two other retired IAS officers are learnt to be in contention for the post. Both have served in key positions in the present state government. Besides, a senior IAS officer who headed a host of departments during the previous Akhilesh Yadav government and also in Yogi Adityanat government, too, is reportedly in the contention. The search for the new UPERC chairman comes days after the commission dismissed the UPPCL petition seeking a hike in power tariff for the fourth year in a row.