KERC to incorporate feedback from public in draft notification, says chairman

KERC Chairman P. Ravi Kumar announced on Wednesday that the Commission will incorporate public feedback into the draft electricity supply regulations. The public hearings took place at the Zilla Panchayat office in Belagavi, where officials, consumers, farmers, industrialists, and contractors gathered. Kumar emphasized that KERC formulates regulations with the interests of consumers and electrical contractors in mind and has no intention of causing them inconvenience.

The draft regulations cover matters such as new connections, disconnections, reconnections, load assessment, tariff categories, metering, billing, and payment procedures. Several stakeholders highlighted the difficulties faced by rural consumers in using online registration and payment systems, urging KERC to simplify the procedures and provide greater awareness.

Some farmers reported technical glitches preventing them from accessing online services, while contractors expressed concerns about certain proposals potentially affecting their operations. Consumers and employees also sought regulations to ensure adequate protection and compensation for workers and their families in case of accidents or casualties.