law: Electricity Act, 2003 
  73. Functions and
  
  duties of Authority.- 
  The Authority shall
  
  perform such functions and duties as the Central Government may prescribe or
  
  direct, and in particular to--
  a.     
  
    advise
  
  the Central Government on the matters relating to the national electricity
  
  policy, formulate short-term and perspective plans for development of the
  
  electricity system and co-ordinate the activities of the planing agencies for
  
  the optimal utilisation of resources to subserve the interests of the national
  
  economy and to provide reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers;
  b.    
  
    specify
  
  the technical standards for construction of electrical plants, electric lines
  
  and connectivity to the grid;
  c.     
  
    specify
  
  the safety requirements for construction, operation and maintenance of
  
  electrical plants and electric lines;
  d.    
  
    specify
  
  the Grid Standards for operation and maintenance of transmission lines;
  e.     
  
    specify
  
  the conditions for installation of meters for transmission and supply of
  
  electricity;
  f.     
  
    promote
  
  and assist in the timely completion of schemes and projects for improving and
  
  augmenting the electricity system;
  g.    
  
    promote
  
  measures for advancing the skill of persons engaged in the electricity
  
  industry;
  h.     
  
    advise
  
  the Central Government on any matter on which its advice is sought or make
  
  recommendation to that Government on any matter if, in the opinion of the
  
  Authority, the recommendation would help in improving the generation,
  
  transmission, trading, distribution and utilisation of electricity;
  i.      
  
    collect
  
  and record the data concerning the generation, transmission, trading,
  
  distribution and utilisation of electricity and carry out studies relating to
  
  cost, efficiency, competitiveness and such like matters;
  j.      
  
    make
  
  public from time-to-time the information secured under this Act, and provide
  
  for the publication of reports and investigations;
  k.     
  
    promote
  
  research in matters affecting the generation, transmission, distribution and
  
  trading of electricity;
  l.      
  
    carry
  
  out, or cause to be carried out, any investigation for the purposes of
  
  generating or transmitting or distributing electricity;
  m.   
  
    advise
  
  any State Government, licensees or the generating companies on such matters
  
  which shall enable them to operate and maintain the electricity system under
  
  their ownership or control in an improved manner and where necessary, in
  
  co-ordination with any other Government, licensee or the generating company
  
  owning or having the control of another electricity system;
  n.     
  
    advise
  
  the Appropriate Government and the Appropriate Commission on all technical
  
  matters relating to generation, transmission and distribution of electricity;
  
  and
  o.    
  
    discharge
  
  such other functions as may be Provided under this Act.