JOIN USThe Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), set up in 1999 by the State government to regulate power tariff and protect the consumers’ interests, draws power without any agreement with Bescom.
It pays its monthly electricity bills, and at commercial rates, in the name of a owner whose identity and address are not clear.
The reply it has provided to an RTI query, filed by City advocate Manjunath Rao, about ownership and RR number of the building where it is located is vague.
A copy of the reply is available with Deccan Herald. In the reply, the Commission has admitted that there is neither a power supply agreement with Bescom nor has the building any RR number.
The Commission said the agreement regarding power supply to its office is with T Shivaram. But there are no details about Shivaram. The electricity bill (obtained under RTI) has not mentioned that Shivaram is the owner of the building.
The proper address of the building is also not mentioned in the certified bill furnished by KERC to the RTI applicant.
Unlike other government agencies which get subsidised power, the Commission pays the bills under LT3 slab, the tariff that applies to bars and restaurants, kalyana mantaps and similar commercial establishments.
“It is shocking that the Commission which is on a par with judicial and quasi judicial bodies is considered equal to commercial users, while the Electricity Act says that the tariff should be based on purpose of use,” said a consumer activist on condition of anonymity.
The electricity ombudsman, who is a separate entity to resolve electricity related disputes and functions within the KERC premises, too has a power connection without any agreement with Bescom.
Experts said that the ombudsman, being an independent body, should not have any connection with KERC.
“As per the Electricity Act, 2003, distribution and sale of power mandates a licence under Section 14 of the Act. No consumer can supply power to another consumer. KERC must clarify whether it is licensed to supply such power,” said an expert.
“If what the KERC and the ombudsman are doing is termed legal, then the electricity supply companies (escoms) should not book cases against consumers who may, for bona fide reasons, avail power from them though they don’t have any agreement,” said another expert.