KERC chairman P Ravikumar (centre) chairs a public hearing on the draft ESR at the Mescom office in Mangaluru on Wednesday
Mangaluru: Electrical contractors have opposed a proposed provision of the Electricity Supply Regulations (ESR) draft 2026, issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which allows building owners to self-certify compliance with electrical safety norms before obtaining new power connections. At a public hearing on the draft ESR held at the Mescom office on Wednesday, contractors said licensed electrical contractors were currently authorised to certify that all prescribed safety measures had been implemented before a new connection was provided.
Electrical contractors from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts objected to the proposed provision allowing consumers to self-certify electrical installations of up to 150 kW under low-tension (LT) supply. Industrial buildings under LT-5 and HT-2A categories, industrial layouts, MSME sheds, warehouses and units in plastic parks should be completely exempted from the mandatory electric vehicle charging clause, he said. KERC chairperson P Ravikumar said public hearings on the draft ESR, 2026, were yet to be completed in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Davanagere and Bidar. The final hearing will be held in Bidar on Nov 4, he said.
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The contractors said Mescom only specifies the conditions for electricity installations, while the indoor electrical work is carried out by licensed contractors. They also sought the introduction of an online application-tracking system and the establishment of help desks at the subdivision level to assist consumers with the online application process, a representative said. KCCI representative BA Nazeer said occupancy and compliance certificates should not be insisted upon for reconnection or restoration, change of name, enhancement or reduction of load without additional built-up area, and replacement of meters in existing industrial premises. He said the RR number and trade licence or Udyam registration certificate should be considered sufficient. A farmer from Sullia said Mescom should not insist on a no-objection certificate from the gram panchayat for irrigation pumpsets. He said RTC or other original land-related documents should be considered sufficient.
“We also verify whether safety violations or defects have been rectified before certifying an installation. How will consumers understand or know the parameters to determine whether a connection is safe?” they asked. They urged KERC to frame regulations that prioritise electrical safety and quality while protecting the livelihoods of thousands of licensed electrical contractors and their dependants. They also sought clarity on the rules governing electricity connections to buildings without occupancy certificates. They demanded that applications be accepted through both online and offline modes. Meanwhile, the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) raised concerns over provisions that could place an additional burden on MSMEs. He also called for a separate simplified procedure for restoration of power connections. Mescom was also urged to provide transformer structures for installation instead of asking consumers to bear the cost. A demand was also made for the establishment of an ombudsman’s office in Mangaluru. Hearings had already been conducted in Belagavi, Hubballi, Sirsi, Kalaburagi, Ballari and Mangaluru. Download the TOI App.