HC tells KSERC to conduct hearings in hybrid mode

The Kerala High Court has directed the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) to conduct public hearings in different parts of the State in the hybrid mode instead of online hearings, as part of revising renewable energy regulations.

A Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji said the commission ought to finalise the venue and time after taking into account aspects like accessibility and convenience of participants.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Domestic On Grid Solar Power Consumers Forum Kerala, which sought hearing in hybrid mode. The commission contended that it faced law and order problems when hearings were held in the physical mode. To this, the court said the deployment of police personnel could be sought if need arose.