The Government of Jharkhand on December 14, 2023, issued the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Facilitation of Telecommunication Network) Regulations, 2023, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 51, read with Sections 181(o),(y) and (zp) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The foremost provisions are as stated:
These Regulations shall be applicable to all Distribution Licensees/Distribution Franchisees engaged in the business of distribution and supply of electricity in the State.
A distribution licensee shall inform the Commission regarding the installation of a telecommunication network on its distribution assets and the income derived from such activities on an annual basis will be submitted along with its Tariff Petition.
In case the cable of a telecom company is being extended through the assets of distribution licensee, the telecom company shall get the colour code, size, fastening arrangement and weight of cable per meter length approved by the distribution licensee.
Distribution licensee may rent out its distribution assets and provide related services to a telecommunication company for the installation of a telecommunication network including but not limited to a 5G network.
The electricity connection to the infrastructure of telecom companies installed on the Distribution Assets will be given at the point of installation of distribution assets. However, the connection agreement can be signed collectively for all the distribution assets within a distribution area depending upon the convenience of the distribution licensee.
These Regulations shall come into force from December 14, 2023.
[Notification No. 96]
