Bescom gives 3 months time to fix solar water heaters

 It has now issued an order that the permanent electricity connection will be given if the owner of the new house gives an undertaking to install solar water heater within three months of getting the power connection.

In its order dated June 10, Bescom said, for applicants who have completed all the formalities for availing power supply and work orders issued on or before June 30, electricity supply may be arranged without installation of solar water heating system.

However, the applicants should provide an undertaking to install the system within three months, failing which power will be disconnected without further notice, the order said.

The order adds that this is not applicable for the houses with sheet roofing built on 1,200 square feet and above. But if the customer has RCC roofing, he/she will have to install a solar water heating system.

Protest

Meanwhile, protesting the earlier order that no power connection will be given to the RCC roofed new houses if the solar water heater is not installed, the Karnataka State Electricity Consumers and Contractors Welfare Protection Forum (KSECCWPF) has decided to stage a protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue on MG Road on June 24 at
10.30 am.

The state secretary of the Forum K M Srinath said the revised order is also not in favour of the consumers because it gives little chance to the new house owners to get a breather from the additional financial burden on them.