law: Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 
  13. Functions of Central Commission 
  The Central Commission shall discharge all or any of the
  
  following functions, namely:- 
  (a) to regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or
  
  controlled by the Central Government;
  (b) to regulate the tariff of generating companies, other than
  
  those owned or controlled by the Central Government specified in clause (a), if
  
  such generating companies enter into or otherwise have a composite, scheme for
  
  generation and sale of electricity in more than one State;
  (c) to regulate the inter-State transmission of energy including
  
  tariff of the transmission utilities;
  (d) to promote competition, efficiency and economy in the
  
  activities of the electricity industry;
  (e) to aid and advise the Central Government in the formulation
  
  of tariff policy which shall be- 
  (i) fair to the consumers; and
  (ii) facilitate mobilization of adequate
  
  resources for the power sector;
  (f) to associate with the environmental regulatory agencies to
  
  develop appropriate policies and procedures for environmental regulation of the
  
  power sector;
  (g) to frame guidelines in matters relating to electricity
  
  tariff;
  (h) to arbitrate or adjudicate upon disputes involving generating
  
  companies or transmission utilities in regard to matters connected with clauses
  
  (a) to (c) above;
  (i) to aid and advise the Central Government on any other matter
  
  referred to the Central Commission by that Government.