APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR ELECTRICITY

Hon’ble Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak joined the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Govt. of India as Technical Member (Petroleum & Natural Gas) on 22nd May 2020. Prior to taking over this assignment, Dr. Karnatak was the Director (Projects) in GAIL India Limited. Born on 07th June 1960, Dr. Karnatak, is an Electrical Engineering alumni of HBTI, Kanpur, a post graduate from IIT, Delhi and a Fellow Doctorate of UPES, Dehradun. He headed the Maharatna PSU –GAIL (India) Limited’s project execution and O&M function as Director (Projects) for last 6 years since 01.03.2014 and also served as C&MD of the organization from 01.08.2019 to 14.02.2020.

As C&MD GAIL, he handled portfolio in various Business segments as Natural Gas, Liquid Hydrocarbon, LPG transmission, Petrochemicals, City Gas Distribution and E&P and executed Projects in diverse fields – Gas Pipelines, LNG Terminal, Gas Processing Plants (LPG & Petrochemical Plants), Renewable Energy (Wind and Solar) etc. With his involvement in all stages of Project Execution i.e. “Conceptualization” to “Close-Out” & expertise in Contract Management, Conflict resolution, Negotiation and innovative Project monitoring techniques, he developed the Vision of completing projects within time & cost, 100% quality & safety and 0% dispute.

In his illustrious career spanning 38 years, he has been involved in execution of pipeline projects more than 11000 km and CGD connectivity in 6 Cities. His Operation & Maintenance (O&M) experience includes handling Natural gas Pipeline network of more than 12000 Km, LPG Pipeline network more than 2000 Km, 06 Nos. Gas Processing Units and C2-C3 Recovery plant. During his tenure, more than 12000 Contracts were executed. He Conceptualized and developed India’s first CNG System in Mumbai and played a key role in conversion of Auto Rickshaw to CNG fuel for the first time in India. He was the Coordinator for India’s first CNG Car Rally in Mumbai. Besides above, he has also handled non-conventional Energy projects like Wind (100 MW) and Solar (5 MW).

A progressive leader, he spearheaded adoption of new technologies and System improvement through a “Digital Yatra” and also been actively involved in selection of new technologies, materials and collaboration with National and International Institutions/ Organizations. An active promotor of Governance & “Zero Dispute” in his professional career, he developed a “Predictive Dispute Resolution Mechanism” to resolve seemingly impossible situations/ disputes. Further, introduced concepts like Quarterly closure, Health monitoring of contracts in an effort towards zero dispute and Conflict Resolution. He has a rich experience in handling high stake “Arbitration & Legal Disputes”, Grievance redressal of Stakeholders and in Negotiation and Crisis Management.

He was the Chairperson of Centre of Excellence for Governance, Ethics and Transparency (CEGET) at United Nation’s Global Compact Network, was associated with International Project Management Association (IPMA), Switzerland as Member of ‘Education & Training Board’ and as an ‘Industrial Member’ in CBSE Committee involved in introducing ‘Project Management’ as an academic curriculum. Currently, he is a Member, Planning Board in Uttarakhand Open University.

In recognition to outstanding contribution in combating corrosion issues in pipelines, and generating awareness in the industry, NACE International, USA awarded prestigious “Presidential Award” for the first time to any Indian National in the history of 75 Years of NACE International. Amongst other accolades, he received Achievement Award (Trophy and Certificate) for Public Officer under Vishwakarma Award 2017 during 21st Annual function of CIDC (Construction Industry Development Council), on 7th March, 2017. He has been felicitated Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award from HBTI Kanpur, Double Helical National Health Award in 2018, ‘Most Admired Leader’ award by FEIL & IIPA and ‘Positive Personality’ award by Brain Behaviour Research Organization.

He has proactivity in speaking and writing and has authored seven books like “Asian Gas Grid – A Critical analysis of its feasibility”, “Project Management of Hydrocarbon Pipelines – A Journey”, “Words have Power”, “आप सफल कैसे हों”, “Yes You Can” and more recently a book titled “Transformation through ‘Thinking’ Positive”. Besides this, he has an avid interest in astrology and has also authored a Hindi book named “अपनी पर्सनेलिटी को पहचाने”. He has been actively spearheading the mission PI-CI-PI (“Positive India – Competent India – Projectized India”) to enable and motivate every person to realize their dormant potential and be a Winner.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.K. Gauba was born on 4th December, 1957. He did his schooling mainly from Kendriya Vidyalaya and post graduation from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He did his LLB from Jabalpur University. Justice Gauba entered Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services on 24th November 1981. Later on, he joined Delhi Judicial Services on 19th August 1983 and presided over the courts of Civil Judge, Metropolitan Magistrate, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and Rent Controller. He was promoted to the Delhi Higher Judicial Services on 20th November 1997 and served in many jurisdictions, including Special Judge for NDPS, anti-corruption cases and municipal election disputes. He also exercised appellate jurisdiction under rent control law, Public Premises Act and against orders of MCD/DDA appellate tribunal. He also presided over the MACT, Sessions Court, matrimonial court. He was the Registrar Vigilance at Delhi High Court and Supreme Court during 2005-2010. He also served on deputation as Officer on Special Duty (Judicial) with the 1st Central Review Committee under POTA. He was elevated as Judge of Delhi High Court as effect from 15th December, 2014.

Hon’ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Verma assumed the charge as Technical Member in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Ministry of Power on 29.11.2018. Prior to this, Hon’ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Verma was the Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India and superannuated on 30.06.2018. Hon’ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Verma has served in various capacities in Central Electricity Authority for more than 37 years and has rich and varied experience of power sector in Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Grid Operation. Shri Verma did his graduation in Electrical Engineering in 1979 from Delhi College of Engineering. He began his career with BHEL and after being inducted into Central Power Engineering Services Group-A 1979 Batch, he joined CEA on 1st January 1981. As Chairperson, CEA he was responsible for the discharge of statutory functions and duties which are enshrined under the Electricity Act, 2003 and broadly include formulation of National Power Policy & Plans, Integrated resource planning and optimization of resource utilization, Policies for safe, secure and economic operation of regional and national grid, Techno-economic evaluation of power projects, renovation and modernization schemes, investigation of accidents on electrical installations, environmental aspects of generation projects, monitoring of rural electrification and optimization of Distribution network, regulatory, legal and financial matters co-operation with neighboring countries for development of water resources, cross boarder power transmission, etc. He led the Inter-Ministerial Central Team constituted by Ministry of Power, under the joint initiative taken by Government of India with the States for preparation of State specific documents for providing 24 X 7 Power For All (PFA). He was also the Chairman of the Technical Committee of National Smart Grid Mission constituted for evaluation of Detailed Project Reports and finalisation of benchmark costs etc. Shri Verma has been instrumental in finalising the Functional requirements of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in India including the technical specifications of single phase and three phase whole current Smart Meters. He has been associated with various Committees including those for development of Indian Electricity Grid Code, Indian Electricity Act, formulation of various schemes of Government of India for development of power sector in the country such as R-APDRP, RGGVY, IPDS, DDUGJY, formulation of Regulations by CEA on installation and operation of energy meters, technical standards for construction of electrical plants and electric lines, grid connectivity Standards for renewable energy sources, etc.

He has also been a member of various Sectional Committees of the Bureau of Indian Standards dealing with Electricity metering/Transformers, Technical Committee for research and development in the area of Grid Operation & Distribution, Energy Conservation and working group on Cyber security under India Smart Grid Task Force. He has been a guest faculty in a number of premier institutes of technology in the country.

As Chairperson, CEA he was Ex-officio Member of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and Part-time Director on the Board of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.nbsp;

Shri S.D. Dubey was born on 10th December, 1956 in Distt. Varanasi (U.P.). Before joining the Tribunal on 09.11.2017, he was serving as Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power & Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India and retired on 31.12.2016. Shri Dubey graduated from MNR Engineering College, Allahabad in First Class with Honours in the year 1977. After two years stint in BHEL, Haridwar, he joined Central Electricity Authority (CEA) through Central Power Engineering (Group-A) Service. He has over 37 years of service in different capacities in CEA. As Chairperson, CEA he was responsible for the discharge of CEA's statutory functions and duties which are enshrined under the Electricity Act, 2003 and broadly include formulation of National Power Policy & Plans; Integrated resource planning and optimization of resource utilization, Policies for safe, secure and economic operation of regional and national grid, Techno-economic evaluation of power projects, renovation and modernization schemes, investigation of accidents on electrical installations, environmental aspects of generation projects, monitoring of rural electrification and optimization of Distribution network, regulatory, legal and financial matters co-operation with neighboring countries for development of water resources, cross boarder power transmission, etc.He also held the responsibility of Member (Power System) in the Central Electricity Authority. Being head of the Power System Wing, he was looking after Power System Planning & Appraisal, Construction Monitoring, Engineering & Technology Development, Electrical Inspectorate, etc. Additionally, he had also held the charge of Member (Hydro) in CEA, therewith he was responsible for hydro Planning and Investigation, Project Appraisal, Renovation & Modernization, Construction & Operation Monitoring, Engineering & Technology Development, etc. Prior to this, he was Chief Engineer in Hydro Wing looking after hydro power development in India and neighboring countries. He was deputed to Royal Government of Bhutan for over five years and was responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of Tala HE Project (1020 MW) and execution of Punatsangchu-I (1200 MW) and Punatsangchu-II (1020 MW) HE projects including associated transmission, sub-transmission and distribution systems. He was also deputed to Government of Bihar for about five years to plan and implement various hydro projects in the State which are presently in operation. He was also Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of CEA. Shri Dubey has travelled to over 15 countries in connection with various works relating to Water & Power Development, Electricity Reforms, Inspection and Testing of various electro-mechanical equipment including Gas Insulated Switchgear, etc. Shri Dubey was Part-time Director on the Board of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and also, Chairman/President of various Committees, organizations in power sector.

Shri I J Kapoor was born on 5th October 1956. Prior to joining the Tribunal, he was serving as Director (Commercial) on the board of NTPC Limited for over 6 years and eight months. In an Illustrious career spanning over three and half decades he has made outstanding professional contribution in overall management functions including the fields of Commercial, Engineering, Operations, Contracts & Materials Management, Consultancy and Project Management. His professional acumen encompasses engineering, commercial and market orientation, legal and financial soundness, strategic management and business leadership.

While in NTPC, he headed the Aravali Power Company Pvt. Ltd.(1500 MW) as chairman for over six and half years ensuring green field development of the project in timely and efficient manner. He also held the responsibility of Chairman Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission; Director, PTC India Ltd.; Director, Meja Urja Nigam Pvt. Ltd.; Director, NTPC BHEL Power Projects Pvt. Ltd.(NBPPL); Director, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd.(NVVN); Director – Trincomalee Power Company Ltd & Director- Bangladesh India Friendship Power Co Pvt. Ltd. He was having the responsibility as director incharge of NTPC Business Development, NTPC Consultancy Wing and Ratnagiri Gas & Power Pvt Limited. He has been exposed to global best practices in management of power utility through programmes organized by leading professional and management experts of renowned management school of USA & UK. Sh Kapoor has participated in various national and International Regulatory forums presenting perspective on key sectoral issues related to power sector.

He spearheaded the nationwide mass Awareness Campaign launched by the Ministry of Power to mobilize opinion for Power Sector Reforms and spreading the message of Energy Conversation. It was in his regime as Additional General Manger/General Manager (Commercial) that a major thrust was initiated to mobilise the

states to agree to the one time Settlement Scheme including the signing of Tripartite Agreement, which resulted in liquidation of arrears amounting to over Rs 24,000 crore as on 30.09.2001 accumulated over the years.

Sh Kapoor is a Mechanical engineering graduate from Delhi College of Engineering and has done MBA in marketing. He joined NTPC in 1978 as third batch Engineering Executive Trainee (EET) and was the first EET to be on Board of Directors of the maharatna company. He is a Senior Member, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineer, USA and also Fellow of Institute of Engineer, India. Sh I. J. Kapoor, assumed the office of Technical Member, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on 21.08.2015.

Shri B.N. Talukdar, joined the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Govt. of India as Technical Member (Petroleum & Natural Gas) on 3rd March, 2016. Prior to taking over this assignment, Shri Takulkdar was Director General of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Govt. of India and retired from there on 30.06.2015. Before his assignment in DGH, Shri Talukdar was the Director (Exploration and Development) of the upstream Exploration and Production Company, Oil India Limited under the Administrative Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. He served Oil India Limited as Director for more than 6 years and joined the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons as the Director General on 06.02.2014.

Shri Talukdar is a Petroleum Engineering graduate from the Premier Institute, the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. Immediately after passing out from the university, he joined Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited and after a short stint there, he switched over to Oil India Ltd. He was awarded university Gold Medal while graduating from Indian School of Mines and during his service career, he received the 'Best Alumni Award' from this institute. Shri Talukdar has a number of achievements to his credit while working as Director in Oil India Ltd. A number of significant hydrocarbon discoveries took place both within the country and abroad during his tenure. First ever hydrocarbon discovery took place in foreign countries operated by Oil India during his tenure. He was responsible for inducting a number of advanced and new technologies to the company in Exploration/Development and Drilling disciplines. The company achieved highest ever crude oil production during his tenure when he was monitoring the exploration/development and drilling projects of the company. Under his leadership, the Center of Excellence for Energy Studies, the Certificate School for drilling and production engineers, the Virtual Reality Center etc were set up in the company for the first time ever of these kinds.

Subsequently, during his tenure as Director General of the Directorate General Hydrocarbons also, lot of policy changes were brought in and new policies initiated in the Upstream Hydrocarbon sector in the country. Setting up of the National Data Repository (NDR) of the Govt. of India for the entire Hydrocarbons Sector was one of the remarkable milestones that Govt. of India met during his tenure.

Shri Talukdar is a distinguished Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), USA and Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG) and American Association of Petroleum Geologists, India. He also served the SPE, New Delhi Chapter as the Chairman. He is a past member of Research Council/Academic Council of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad and also member, Executive Council of the Indian Society of Applied Geochemists (ISAG). While he was Director General of Hydrocarbons, he was also the Member Secretary of the Dr. Kelkar's Committee formed by Govt. of India to prepare a road map for reduction in import dependency in the hydrocarbon sector by 2030.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.K. Patil was born on 2nd May, 1954 at Bidar District, Karnataka State. He completed PUC and Degree at B.V. Boomareddy College, Bidar and Law Degree at Renukacharya Law College, Bengaluru.

He was enrolled as an Advocate on 9th April, 1982, and practising in the High Court of Karnataka. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Karnataka on 11th December, 2000 and became permanent Judge on 18th April, 2002.

He was in the Board of Governors of Karnataka Judicial Academy for two terms and had participated in the international, national and State conferences on various subjects. He was Chairman of High Court Legal Service Committee.  

He was a Member of the Committee for establishment of High Court Benches in the districts of Dharwad and Gulbarga in Karnataka State.

Justice Patil served as Chairman, Core Committee for submitting Comprehensive Master Action Plan Report for the development of lakes within the jurisdiction of BBMP, BDA and BMRC Bangaluru.

He was the Chairman of Review and Monitoring Committee for providing infrastructure facilities to Subordinate Judiciary and Executive Chairman for Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, Bengaluru.

He headed the Core Committee for the preparation of the Comprehensive Master Action Plan  for  eradication  of  malnutrition  among  children  in  the  State  of  Karnataka and a  detailed  Report was submitted  by the Core  Committee to the High Court which was accepted and the same is being implemented by the State Government.

During his tenure as Judge in the Karnataka High Court, he delivered several landmark judgments on several important subjects.  After a tenure of about 16 years, he superannuated on 1St May 2016.

He took oath as Judicial Member of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Ministry of Power, Government of India, New Delhi, on 22nd September, 2017 (F/N).  

Born on 1st June 1952, at Kollagunta Village, Chittoor (Dt.) of Andhra Pradesh from an Agricultural family. He completed his Graduation i.e B.E(Electrical) from Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, S.V.University, Tirupati and Post Graduation, M.Tech from Regional Engineering College, Warangal, A.P,also studied M.B.A with special focus on public Enterprises & Finance from Institute of Public Enterprises, Osmania University, Hyderabad. Coming to the experience, he started his carrier as Assistant Engineer in, the then Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board and rose to the highest post of Chief Engineer in the State organization.

He served in that organization for about 32 years. He worked in all the three major areas pertaining to the electricity i.e Generation, Transmission and Distribution in his service career. He served as Chairperson of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum of Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Co. Ltd., Andhra Pradesh. Joined as Member (Engg.), Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission on 1st July 2010. As a Member (Engg.), have association with the Commission in formulating various Regulations for fixation of Tariff of Generation, Transmission and Distribution. Also attended various conferences such as orientation Programme 2011 at IIM Ahmedabad and at California, USA and SAFIR Meetings at Kathmandu and Sri Lanka. Also associated with the various functions of the Commission such as issue of Tariff orders, adjudication of petitions filed in the Commission and conducting meeting with State Advisory Committee etc.

Sh. T. Munikrishnaiah has assumed the charge of Technical Member on 13.11.2014. Demitted his office on completion of his tenure on 31st May, 2017.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surendra Kumar took the oath of office as Member (Judicial) of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, New Delhi, on the forenoon of 07.08.2013. He is having rich experience of law in different capacities, such as Advocate, District Judge and Judge of High Court. Graduated in Law in the year 1976, got enrolled as an advocate in February, 1977 and practiced on civil, criminal, service and tax matters. He was appointed as District Judge (Entry grade) by qualifying U.P. Higher Judicial Services in May, 1994. He became full-fledged District & Sessions Judge/Principal District Judge in August 2006 and served U.P. Higher Judiciary in various Districts of U.P. He was finally elevated as a Judge of Allahabad High Court in September 2011 and demitted the office on 6th August, 2013 at Allahabad.  Demitted his office on completion of his tenure on 06.08.2016.

Mr N.M. Borah retired on the 30th April, 2012 from the position of the Chairman & Managing Director of Oil India Limited (OIL),a Navaratna major petroleum NOC in India. On the 16th July,2012,he assumed the charge of Member (Technical),Petroleum & Natural Gas in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Govt. of India.

Prior to his taking over as Chairman & Managing Director of Oil India Limited, Mr. Borah was Director (Operations) of OIL and, in this capacity, he was responsible for the company’s exploration, development, resource management, oil, gas and LPG production and pipeline business in North-east India. He played a key role in accelerating hydrocarbon exploration in the geological frontier areas in the North-east India and enhancing OIL’s crude oil and gas production levels significantly. Among his interests, expediting gas monetization, revitalization of old depleting oilfields, and international Business Development through overseas asset acquisition are of special significance.

Mr Borah was engaged actively in strategic and business development of OIL including E&P activities overseas. During his stint as OIL’s CMD, the company’s oil and gas production sustained unprecedented growth and the operational acreage portfolio saw significant expansion both within India and overseas. The company experienced a very successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) in September,2009 and its stock has been performing very well in the market ever since. He was also a Director in the Board of Numaligarh Refinery Limited. He has travelled widely to different parts of the world representing his company and the Government of India in various technical seminars, conferences and business meetings. He is credited with a number of papers presented in national and international conferences.

Mr.Borah is a distinguished Member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), USA and Society of Petroleum Geophysics (SPG), India. He is immediate past Chairman, SPE, New Delhi Chapter. He is the current President of Indian Geological Congress. He is also the Chairman, Board of Governors of a National Institute of Technology in India. He continues as a founding member of the prestigious Delhi and the NCR Chapter of the Project Management Associates. Mr Borah was the President of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) in India during 2011-12.Amongst other recognitions, Mr. Borah was conferred with the distinguished SCOPE award for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution in Public Sector Management (2009-10) by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Business Leadership award (2010-11) by New Delhi Television (NDTV),one of the most prominent news and current affairs TV channels in India. He also has the distinction of being honoured as a Most Distinguished Alumnus of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad.

Mr Borah is a petroleum engineering graduate from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad with Post Graduate specialization in Petroleum Prospecting and Reservoir Evaluation from the Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim, Norway.  Demitted his office on completion of his tenure on 15th July, 2015.