No need for occupancy certificate to get power connection: HC

The High Court of Karnataka has dismissed Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) petition to make it mandatory for consumers to provide occupancy certificate to obtain power supply connection.

BBMP had sought directions to quash the order passed by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which had directed Bescom and Cescom not to insist consumers to provide occupancy certificate while availing of electricity connections.

Justice Vineet Kothari dismissed BBMP's contention on the ground that KERC is the sole authority in deciding on the conditions of supply of electricity to consumers.

KERC in its order has said that proof of ownership and occupancy of the premises can be proved by any consumer or applicant seeking power connections in the matter stipulated in the Conditions of Supply as mentioned in the Electricity Act, 2003.

The court said that making occupancy certificate mandatory requirement is illegal since no such conditions are mentioned in the Act and no amendments have been made. The judge dismissed BBMP's petition as it lacked merits.

DH News Service