Bescom to extend OC relief to buildings completed before May 31

Bengaluru: Ending days of uncertainty, Bescom has announced a major relief for homeowners on the occupancy certificate (OC) condition.The power utility has decided that residential buildings measuring up to 2,400sqft in Greater Bengaluru Authority will no longer need an OC to obtain a permanent electricity connection irrespective of whether they had applied before May 31, 2026.The move effectively broadens the state govt's recent relaxation of OC norms and addresses widespread confusion triggered by a condition that appeared to limit the benefit only to those who had applied before May 31.The confusion began after Karnataka govt, acting on chief minister DK Shivakumar's announcement, exempted houses up to 2,400 sqft from the OC requirement that had become mandatory following a Supreme Court order. However, the fine print of the government's order left many homeowners worried. It stated that only applications submitted before May 31 would qualify for the relaxation.Homeowners and electrical contractors argued the condition was unfair. Since the Supreme Court's December 2024 verdict, many Bescom offices had stopped accepting applications from properties lacking approved building plans. "Many homeowners never even got a chance to apply," said a senior office-bearer of the Karnataka Electrical Contractors' Association (KECA).Satish Kumar, a homeowner from Kengeri, said he completed construction in Oct 2025 and moved into the house the following month under a temporary connection. "When I approached Bescom for permanent connection, officials refused to accept my application citing the Supreme Court order. We continued to live with a temporary connection. It is unfair to insist on a cut-off date now when applications were not being received," he said.C Ramesh, president of KECA, said applications remain valid only for a limited period under the Sakala framework. "If an application is not processed within the stipulated time, it lapses automatically. Most homeowners waited for clarity from the government instead of filing fresh applications," he said.Contractors and builders have sought clarity on the status of commercial buildings and paying guest hostels. "If they do not clear this confusion, it will benefit only 5,000 buildings. Otherwise, 5 lakh buildings will benefit," Ramesh added.A Bescom official clarified that eligible homeowners would not lose benefits of relaxation. "All homeowners, who completed construction before May 31 or obtained temporary electricity connections before that date, will be considered for exemption. They need to furnish proof while applying for a permanent connection," the official said.