Online applications for new power connections soon

To eliminate middlemen and to become more consumer friendly, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), plans to make the process of applying for new power connections online.

Bescom managing director
P Rajendra Cholan told reporters on Wednesday that Bescom would soon introduce a mechanism where applications for new connections, transferring names and seeking additional load will be done online.

“I have studied the present process and have found that consumers are forced to fill up application forms which ask for unnecessary details. The present system is tedious and makes people go through contractors. We are also are planning to simplify the application form,” he said. There are 56 lakh consumers in Bengaluru, of whom around 7.5 lakh are looking for new connections or seeking transfer of names. Bescom has also found that there are over 7,000 contractors who help consumers with the formalities and make up a lobby worth Rs 75 crore. Bescom would soon conduct a pilot study on the new process before officially implementing it.

Under the new process, consumers will have to visit the sub-divisional office with their photo ID and give a thumb impression. The officer at the counter will file the application form and give a date by when the process will be completed. The meter cost, application and processing cost will also be mentioned in the application form. There will be a centralised team in the head office to manage all zonal offices, Cholan explained.

Pre-paid meters
Bescom has made pre-paid meters mandatory for water supply providers and streetlighting. This is being done to ensure that there are no arrears pending from these utilities. Last fiscal year, arrears worth Rs 1,800 crore were due to Bescom. Pre-paid meters will be introduced for temporary connections too. There are 80,000 temporary connections in Bengaluru.

Bescom has also issued work orders worth Rs 66 crore for installation of solar panels of 6 MW in government buildings with five-year warranty.