Bescom’s Occupancy Certificate rule stalls 50,000 power connections in city
Credit: DH FILE PHOTO
Bengaluru: Nearly two months after Bescom made Occupancy Certificates (OCs) mandatory for power connections to new buildings, over 50,000 applications are pending in Bengaluru alone, according to the Energy Department.
The number crosses one lakh across Bescom’s entire jurisdiction, though the utility has no exact count as applications continue to pile up.
Electrical contractors said the rule has been applied even to applications filed before the mandate, leaving many residents in the lurch.
"The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) introduced this on April 4, 2025. Several applications submitted earlier are still pending, and officials are now demanding OCs,” said C Ramesh, president, Karnataka State Licensed Electrical Contractors Association (KSLECA).
Ramesh estimated the backlog could exceed 88,000, if pre-mandate applications are counted.
Another contractor added that many of his clients were unaware of the new rule and now face difficulties.
"A large number of properties are built on revenue sites without proper documentation. And there are by-law violations. Buyers invested lakhs without knowing about this mandate. Now, the government introduces the mandate and owners are stranded,” the contractor said.
While Bescom cited a Supreme Court order for the move, Ramesh argued that sudden decisions like this hurt the public. The situation has also stalled payments to contractors as clients await power supply.
"As per contracts, a portion of the payments is made after the power supply is sanctioned. With applications stuck, many clients are withholding payments though our work is complete,” said Shekhar B, another contractor.
By-law changes in the works
Energy Minister K J George said on Thursday that the department was considering by-law amendments to address the issue.
The chief secretary has been asked to draft a proposal, which will be placed before the cabinet soon, George said. “We will discuss in the cabinet meeting and evolve a solution soon,” he added.