Section 25 in Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2005
25. Collection of Information.
(1)The Commission may make such order or orders as it thinks fit in terms of the provisions of the Act for collection of information, inquiry, investigation, entry, search, seizure and without prejudice to the generality of its powers in regard to the following,-(a)the Commission may specially authorize any officer, not below the rank of a Gazetted Officer, on behalf of the Commission, to enter any building or place where the Commission has reason to believe that any document relating to the subject matter of the inquiry or adjudication under the Act, may be found and may seize any such document or take extracts or copies therefrom subject to the provisions of section 100 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), in so far it may be applicable;(b)in the exercise of powers conferred on it by section 128 of the Act, the Commission may, on being satisfied that a licensee has failed to comply with any of the conditions of the licence or the provisions of the Act or the rules or regulations made there-under, at any time, by order in writing, direct an Investigating Authority specified in the order to investigate the affairs of the licensee or generating company and report to the Commission. For this, the Commission may direct the minimum information to be maintained by the licensees and generating companies in their books and also direct the manner in which such information shall be maintained and the checks and verifications to be adopted;(c)the Commission may, at any time, direct the Secretary or any one or more Officers not below the rank of a gazetted officer or Consultants or any other person as the Commission considers appropriate to study, investigate or furnish information with respect to any matter within the purview of the Commission;(d)the Commission may for the above purpose give such other directions as it may deem fit and direct the time within which the report is to be submitted or information furnished;(e)the Commission may issue or authorize the Secretary or an officer on its behalf to issue directions to any person to produce before it and allow to be examined and kept by an officer of the Commission specified in this behalf the books of accounts as provided in the Act to furnish information to the specified officer;(f)the Commission may, for the purpose of collecting any information particulars or documents which the Commission considers necessary in connection with the discharge of its functions, issue such directions and follow any one or more of the methods provided for in the Act as the Commission considers it to be appropriate;(g)if any such report or information obtained as specified in the Act or in these regulations appears to the Commission to be insufficient or inadequate, the Commission or the Secretary or an officer authorized for the purpose may give directions for inquiry, report and furnishing of information;(h)the Commission may direct that such incidental, consequential and supplemental matters which may be considered relevant in connection with the above, be attended to;(2)In the discharge of the functions and powers under the Act and the regulations, the Commission may, if it thinks fit, direct a notice of inquiry to be issued and proceed with the matter in a manner provided under Chapter-II of these regulations.(3)On receipt of the report from the appointed Investigating Authority, and after giving an opportunity to the licensee or generating company, as the case may be, to make a representation in connection with the report, the Commission may make an order to require the licensee or the generating company to take such action in respect of any matter arising out of the report as the Commission may think fit.(4)The Commission may, after giving reasonable notice to the licensee or the generating company, as the case may be, publish the report submitted by the Investigating Authority or such portions(s) thereof as may appear to the Commission to be necessary.
