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The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued a directive to all electricity supply companies across the state, including Bescom, to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling. The judgment requires that service connections such as electricity, water, and sewerage be provided to buildings only after the submission of valid completion or occupancy certificates. The directive extends to power supply companies in Mangalore, Hubli, Chamundeshwari, Gulbarga, and the Hukkeri rural electricity cooperative society. Authorities are now mandated to carry out regular inspections and enforce strict compliance to prevent unauthorised constructions from accessing essential services.
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has instructed all electricity supply companies in the state, including Bescom, to adhere to a recent Supreme Court judgment. This ruling mandates that service connections, including electricity, must be granted to buildings solely upon the submission of valid completion or occupancy certificates. Advertisement
The Supreme Court, in its judgment delivered in December 2024, ruled that completion certificates should only be issued to newly constructed buildings if they fully comply with their sanctioned plans and any violations are rectified beforehand.
KERC's directive has been extended to the Mangalore, Hubli, Chamundeshwari, and Gulbarga electricity supply companies, as well as the Hukkeri rural electricity cooperative society.
It was earlier reported that BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath had issued a similar instruction to Bescom and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). He had directed that no electricity, water, or sewerage connections should be provided to buildings lacking occupancy certificates. This directive had been formally communicated to both utility agencies in early January, as part of wider measures aimed at curbing rampant violations in Bengaluru's building sector.
BBMP had further urged Bescom and BWSSB to disconnect existing electricity, water, and sewerage services to buildings identified as unauthorised or found to be in violation of their approved plans. Additionally, before granting temporary utility connections, the concerned agencies have been instructed to verify A-khata certificates and approved building plans to prevent illegal constructions from securing essential services.
According to the Supreme Court order, builders have been mandated to hand over possession of properties only after obtaining valid completion certificates. Furthermore, builders must display a copy of the approved building plan at the construction site throughout the construction process. It has also been directed that authorities carry out periodic inspections and maintain comprehensive records prior to the issuance of occupancy certificates.
The Supreme Court has ruled that unauthorised buildings must not be granted business licences or service connections. It also stated that violations should result in stringent actions, including penalties against officials found responsible.
The directive from KERC, in line with the Supreme Court's judgment, marks a significant step toward ensuring lawful construction practices in Karnataka. These measures are expected to promote better governance and accountability in the state's urban planning and development sectors.
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