| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
| 1. How is BESCOM organized to provide services? |
- BESCOM is headed by a Managing Director
- BESCOM has the operaing zones: Bangalore metropolitan Area Zone (BMAZ), Bangalore Rural Area Zone (BRAZ) and Chitradurga Zone. There are three Chief Enginers each in charge of a zone.
- Each Zone is divided into Circles. Each Circle is headed by a Superintending Engineer (Ele.,)
- BMAZ has two Circles - Bangalore North and Bangalore South
- BRAZ has two Circles - Bangalore Rural and Kolar
- Chitradurga Zone has two Circles - Tumkur and Davanagere
- Each Circle is divided into Divisions each of which is headed by an Executive Engieer
- Each Division is further divided into sub divisions which are supervised by Assistant Executive Engineers.
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2. How do I apply for a new electricity connection in the following categories?
A) lighting / combined lighting and heating installations of domestic (AEH), non-domestic / non-commercial categories.
B) Commercial lighting installations. |
Application: The application in the prescribed form shall be registered by the licensee at the jurisdictional section / sub division office on payment of registration cum processing fee.
ProcedureFor permanent supply, along with the application you need to have: to register application with proof of ownership / occupation documents, attested true copies or photostat copies of the documens showing the proposed loation of the meter board prepared by the Licensed Electrical Contractor and Agreement on Rs.50/- stamp paper in the standard format.
Deposits: Necessary deposits and supervision charges shall be payable by the consumer duly executing the agreement.
Time Frame: The installation will be serviced within 1 month from the date of receipt of the contractor's completion cum test report along with the wiring diagram (provided the installation has been wired up as per the completion report and wiring diagram) |
| 3. What is Bhagya Jyothi Scheme? |
| Bhagya Jyothi is a scheme sponsored by the Government for providing electricity to the economically weaker sections of society. In this scheme only one bulb is allowed to be used by the consumer. |
| 4. What is the basis on which BESCOM fixes the tariff for consumption of power? |
| BESCOM submits tariff proposal to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). KERC calls for objections from the general public. After hearing and duly considering petitioner's objections, KERC approves the tariff. |
| 5. Where and how can I make the payment of electricity bills? |
- You can pay the monthly bills either by cash or cheque at the jurisdictional cash counters in Sub Divisional offices.
- At designated bank branches.
- At mobile cash counters
- BIll Junction / Internet
- Using the Electronic Clearing Scheme (ECS) - Presently available in Bangalore City
- Any Time Payment Kiosks - Presently available in Bangalore City
- Bangalore One Center - Presently available in Bangalore City
- Easy bill outlets
- BWSSB Kiosks
- SBI ATM Bill payment facility (At present available in Bangalore only)
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| 6. What is Limited Mandate System for ECS? |
Under the Limited Mandate System a customer can ask his / her bank to debit a limited amount each month towards monthly electricity bill. This amount will be equal to 1.25 times the bill amount. For e.g. The Mandate will be equal to 1.25 times the bill amount of September 2005 or the previous month of enrolling into ECS, whichever is applicable.
BESCOM cannot draw amount beyond this limit towards the electricity bill which may be in excess due to some billing / metering errors. If the actual monthly bill exceeds the Mandate limit, customer shall pay the difference separately by cash at the concerned BESCOM offices without any hassles. The power supply will not be disconnected in such cases. |
| 7. How do I reqister into the Limited Mandate ECS? |
| Any electricity consumer can visit the respective Operations and Maintenance Sub-Division office of BESCOM and enroll for the Limited Mandate Electronic Clearance Scheme facility. (Presently available in BMAZ area) |
| 8. What is the penalty for late or non-payment of electricity bill? |
In the case of belated payment, interest will be levied at the rate of 2% per month on actual number of days of delay from the expiry of due date.
If the consumer fails to pay the bill amount within a period of 15 days from the presentation of the bill, the installation will be disconnected. |
| 9. Will the BESCOM replace the old meters with newer and advanced meters? If so, do I have to pay additional fee for the new meter? |
| BESCOM has plans to replace the old meters by high precision meters in a phased manner. However, difference in meter security deposit if required will be collected from the customers. |
| 10. What arrangements has BESCOM made in trim the branches of road side tress touching overhead cables? |
| Tree branches will be trimmed to the barest minimum to avaoid interruptions. Tree pruning electric saws are being used for trimming the trees. |
| 11. What is power theft? Whom and how do I report to in BESCOM about the power theft? |
| Hooking directly to the electric lines and tampering of meter constitutes theft of power. Citizens can contact Superintendent of Police, Vigilance, BESCOM for reporting power theft. |
| 12. Where can I obtain a copy of the Citizens Charter to demand better services? |
| Citizen Charter is available at all offices of BESCOM. |
| 13. If I have the following grievances, whom do I contact and what should I do? |
A. Individual:
a. delay in the sanction of power: Assistant Executive Engineer Electrical {AEE(E)} / Assistant Engineer (Technical) {AE(T)} of the Sub-division; Executive Engineer (Electrical) {EE(El)} of the division.
b. harassment / demanding of bribes by the officials of BESCOM: AEE(E) of the Sub division.
c. not satisfied with the services of the Electrical Contractor: Government Electrical Inspectorate.
d. billing errors: You can contact Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) / Senior Assistant (SA) of the accounting unit / Soujanya counter of the Sub-division / Section Officer.
e. faulty meters: You can contact Assistant Engineer Operations and Maintenance {AE(O&M)} Junior Engineer Operations and Maintenance {JE(O&M)} Soujanya Counter of the Sub-division / Section Officer
f. restoring the power supply after temporary disconnection: You can contact the AAO of the Sub-division / AE(O&M) /JE(O&M) / Section Officer
B.Community Problems:
a. Street light problems: BMP local office / Local Authority; AEE(E) of BMP / Local Authority in charge of the street lights. Street light maintenance is the responsibility of Local authority.
b. Power outage: CCCD (Central Consumer Complaints Division) / Service Station of the Sub-division / AE(O&M) / JE(O&M) / Section Officer / Line man in the Lineman Camp.
c. Low Voltage: CCCD / Service Station of the Sub-division / AE(O&M) / JE(O&M) / Soujanya Counter of the Sub-div / Section Officer / Lineman in the Lineman Camp
d. Unauthorized trimming of tree branches: CCCD / Service Station of the Sub-div / AE(O&M) / JE(O&M) / Section Officer / Line Man in the Lineman Camp.
e. Unnecessary trimming of tree branches: CCCD / Service Station of the Sub-div / AE(O&M) / JE(O&M) / Section Officer / Line Man in the Lineman Camp
f. Power cables running dangerously low: AE / AEE / EEE of the jurisdictional branch / division
g. Transformers / cable boxes posing hurdles to pedestrians: AE / AEE / EEE of the jurisdictional branch / division
Soujanya Counters and Service Stations are being remodeled and refurbished to provide better service to customers. BESCOM periodically arranges regular interactive meetings with resident / customer welfare associations. These meetings are held once in two months and organized by all the Zonal Chief Engineers (El), Superintending Engineers (El), O&M Circle Executive Engineers (El), O&M Sub-Divisions. |
| 14. What is KERC? Under what circumstances can I, as a customer approach KERC for redressal of grievances? |
| Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Authority (KERC), formed under Electricity Reforms Act is responsible for regulating power supply, transmission and distribution activities in the State. KERC is also responsible for regulating power tariff. |
