BERC tribunal slated to dispose of energy and power sector cases

All cases pertaining to the energy and power sector will be disposed of at the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission's (BERC's) special tribunal instead of regular courts from now on, said BERC tribunal chairman Dr Salim Mahmud on Sunday.

He was addressing a press conference organised at the BERC headquarters.
The existing cases are also being re-directed towards the tribunal, said Salim Mahmud.
The tribunal will work as a judicial council of the commission as per the BERC Act 2003. 
The tribunal was formed under the BERC last year, with Salim Mahmud as its chairman. 
The tribunal is to have seven members, two of whom—Mokhlesur Rahman Khondoker and Imdadul Haque—have already been appointed. The process of appointing other members is also underway. 
The hearings of some of the cases have already started.
Salim Mahmud said that the tribunal will look after all complaints in the energy and power sector—there will be no need to go to the regular court anymore. 
Several thousands of energy and power sector cases are pending in the higher court, which has already redirected a number of cases to the tribunal, he added.
As per the Act, the verdict given by the BERC tribunal will be final. No appeal would be granted in any court against the verdict given by the tribunal. 
However, an individual has the right to go to a higher court against the verdict, which is in accordance with the Constitution. 
The tribunal will send its verdict to the commission for final approval. The commission will analyse the verdicts and give its observations.
The Act said that if there is a problem with the licensing of a company, the complaint will be placed in the tribunal, which will review such complaints and send relevant observations to the commission.
The tribunal will have the power to make witnesses appear in the court for cross-examination.
The tribunal will have the power to ask for and review all important documents pertaining to a case. It can also seek evidence supported by affidavit and information preserved in other courts.  The tribunal will also have the power to adjourn a hearing.
The BERC tribunal can also advise the commission about the BERC Act, policies, contracts, licenses or prices of goods on its own or on the request of the commission. 
It can also give advice on price revision proposals submitted by distribution companies.

BERC tribunal slated to dispose of energy and power sector cases

All cases pertaining to the energy and power sector will be disposed of atthe Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commissions (BERCs) specialtribunal instead of regular courts from now on, said BERC tribunal chairman Dr Salim Mahmudon Sunday. He was addressing a press conference organised at the BERC headquarters. The existing cases are also beingre-directed towards the tribunal, said Salim Mahmud. The tribunal will work as a judicial council of the commission as per the BERC Act 2003. The tribunal was formed under the BERC last year, with Salim Mahmud as its chairman. The tribunal is to have seven members, two of whomMokhlesur Rahman Khondoker and Imdadul Haquehave already been appointed. The process of appointing other members is also underway. The hearings of some of the cases have already started. Salim Mahmud said that the tribunal will look after all complaints in the energy and power sectorthere will be no need to go to the regular court anymore. Several thousands of energy and power sector cases are pending in the higher court, which has alreadyredirected a number of cases to the tribunal, he added. As per the Act, the verdict given by the BERC tribunal will be final. No appeal would be granted in anycourt against the verdict given bythe tribunal. However, an individual has the right to go to a higher court against the verdict, which is in accordance with the Constitution. The tribunal will send its verdict to the commission for final approval. The commission will analyse the verdicts and give its observations. The Act said that if there is a problem with the licensing of a company, the complaint will be placed in the tribunal, whichwill review such complaints andsend relevant observations to the commission. The tribunal will have the power to make witnesses appear in the court for cross-examination. The tribunal will have the power to ask for and review all important documents pertaining to a case. It can also seek evidence supported by affidavit and information preserved in other courts. The tribunal will also have the power to adjourn a hearing. The BERC tribunal can also advise the commission about the BERC Act, policies, contracts, licenses or prices of goods on its own or on the request of the commission. It can also give advice on price revision proposals submitted by distribution companies.