'Power' disruption at GCCI as energy committee chairman Yudhisthir Gohil resigns

Chairman of Energy Committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Yudhisthir Gohil tendered his resignation on Saturday, when his objections in a case in Gujarat Energy Regulatory Commission (GERC) were questioned by the apex trade and industry body. However, GCCI president Jaimin Vasa downplayed the incident saying that it was a case of misunderstanding.

GERC had held a hearing on March 8 in petition on hike in electricity tariffs, for which it had informed GCCI on March 2. GCCI informed Gohil about the hearing on March 7, just about 24 hours ahead of the hearing. Gohil and his lawyers studied the matter and raised objections during the hearing. However, GCCI later on questioned him for raising objections without sharing them and taking approval from with GCCI authorities. It also asked him to appear in person at the earliest. Enraged with the letter, Gohil put in his papers on March 16. In a e-mail to Vasa, Gohil said that he was given time of less than 24 hours for the submission to GERC. He also suggested that if the submissions were deemed to be harmful by president and office bearers of GCCI, they can withdraw and instruct the lawyers accordingly. DNA approached two former office bearers, in know of the procedures. They said that chairman of a committee is not required to take approval from GCCI office bearers. "What is the use of having a chairman in such cases? There is no such precedent," said a former office bearer. "The case pertain to financial interest of not only of businesses but also of residential consumers," said another formal office bearer.

When contacted, GCCI president Jaimin Vasa said that Gohil enjoys full confidence of GCCI and there were some misunderstanding and misinterpretation which lead to his resignation. "He had not submitted a copy of objections and we had sought it from him. He is very intelligent and his integrity is beyond doubt," said Vasa.