Chandigarh, April 28 -- The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has set aside an interim order passed by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) concerning a dispute over the termination of a power purchase agreement (PPA), in which relief was given to a private liquor manufacturer.

Pointing out that the PSERC had issued its interim order without giving the appellant (PSPCL) an opportunity to be heard, the tribunal held that such a move was unjustified and contrary to the principles of natural justice. The tribunal observed that the real issue before the PSERC was the validity of the termination of the PPA. "It is only when the main appeal is finally heard and allowed could the letter, whereby the PPA was termin...