Having an occupancy certificate (OC) from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or similar authorities may become mandatory for HT (high tension) consumers if the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has its way.
The KERC has proposed making OC compulsory for HT connection applicants (serviced by 11 kV to 66 kV lines). This includes commercial and industrial consumers.
In the Conditions of Supply of Electricity of Distribution Licensees in the State of Karnataka notified in 2006, applicants only had to produce a copy of the approval of installation by the Electrical Inspectorate and ‘Test and Commissioning Certificates’ of the equipment installed.
However, in the draft Conditions of Supply of Electricity of Distribution Licensees in the State of Karnataka (Seventh Amendment), 2018, the KERC has added the requirement of OC: “The servicing of installation of the applicant shall be carried out on production of the copy of the Occupancy Certificate, the approval of the installation by the Electrical Inspectorate and also Test and Commissioning Certificate of the equipment installed as required by the Licensee.”
KERC Chairman M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda said the State government had sought to make OC mandatory for HT connections, but “due procedure”, including public hearing, had to be followed before applying the rule.
The KERC’s notification said the Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, had “requested for amendment to clause 8 of the CoS (Conditions of Supply), to insist for occupancy certificate from HT consumers also under clause 8 as in the case of clause 9, to avoid discrimination.”
Ravi Kumar P., Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, said the intention was to bring clarity to the issue. “The commission’s earlier order wanted to cover both LT and HT, but was not clear. So on the ground, officers were using their discretion to apply the rule. LT installations without OC were being caught, but HT installations were getting away. That is why we wanted clarity,” he said.
Bescom Managing Director C. Shikha said clause 9, which applies to commercial, residential buildings, complexes, multi-storeyed buildings with load of more than 35 kW or built up area of more than 800 sq. ft already had to produce OC while applying for power connection.
Pre-paid metres
In addition, KERC has also considered the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company’s (Bescom) request to provide for making pre-paid energy metres mandatory for water supply installations, street lights, and government offices under LT3 (commercial) “for ensuring timely payments.” This too has been proposed in the amendment.
Suggestions, views or objections can be submitted to KERC by October 31.