KASSIA urges power agencies to work in tandem to improve power infrastructure in Karnataka

Trade body Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has urged all agencies allied to the power sector to work together to strengthen the overall power infrastructure scenario of the State.
KASSIA, president, M.G. Rajagopal said the power distribution agencies and apex body including Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation, all electricity supply companies (ESCOMS) in the State and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission should work in tandem to improve the stability of power lines, upgrade transmission equipment and also strengthen the distribution system.
''The industry wants non-interrupted, quality supply of power for which the State should strengthen its power infrastructure including power lines, transmission equipment and also distribution system,'' said Mr. Rajagopal at an interactive session organised by KASSIA here on Monday for power industry stakeholders.
P. Ravikumar, IAS., Chairman, KERC and Jawaid Akhtar, IAS, Member, KERC interacted with the members and took note of the issues raised by the participants during the meeting and assured to resolve the issues that come within the purview of KERC Regulations.
Speaking on the occasion, S.M. Hussain, Energy Panel Chairman at KASSIA also stressed the importance of increased coordination between KPTCL & ESCOMs in terms of supplying power, plan approval, issuing occupancy certificates, making smart meters optional, tariff misuse, network maintenance, adding there was need to establish a 66/11 KVA Sub Station at Nelamangala.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

5 days ago

• Hans India

Bengaluru: BESCOM Clarifies Smart Meter Rule After PIL Alleges Forced Installations

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) has informed the Karnataka High Court that smart electricity meters are only being installed in new households, and it is not mandated for existing consumers. The clarification came during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Karnataka Vidyuth Sene and others, who allege that BESCOM is putting pressure on consumers to replace functioning static meters with smart ones. Petitioners raised concerns that smart meters are being made as compulsory, despite KERC guidelines making them optional. They further stated that the procurement process lacks transparency, with meters reportedly priced higher than in other states (where they are distributed at Rs 900/unit). Consumers are allegedly being forced to bear replacement costs, even when current meters work fine. Legal Update A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi has issued notices to: The Karnataka Government, BESCOM, and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing. What Petitioners Want Quashing of circulars enforcing smart meter rollout. Clear adherence to KERC regulations. Transparency in meter procurement. Protection for consumers with working static meters. As of now, existing BESCOM customers in Bengaluru are not required to switch to smart meters.

Time of India

6 days ago

• Time of India

Smart meters only for new homes, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd tells Karnataka high court

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Bescom) told high court that installation of smart meters is applicable only to new houses and not existing electricity connections. The clarification came during a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Karnataka Vidyuth Sene and others. The petitioners contended that consumers were being compelled to shift to smart meters despite existing ones functioning properly. They also questioned the procurement process, stating smart meters were being offered at higher rates, whereas other states had distributed them for around Rs 900 per unit. The petitioners argued as per Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) regulations, smart meter installation is optional. However, recent circulars and tender notifications allegedly make the transition compulsory. After briefly hearing the matter, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi issued notices to the state govt, KERC, and Bescom. The hearing has been adjourned. The petitioners have sought quashing of the circulars, adherence to KERC's regulations, and compliance with transparency laws in public procurement. They also requested that consumers with working static meters should not be forced to bear the cost of replacement.

The Hindu

15-06-2025

• The Hindu

Imposition of pension cess by CESC violates spirit of power sector reforms, says MGP

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has said that the Pension and Gratuity cess being imposed by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) since May was a violation of the spirit of power sector reforms. It places an unfair burden on consumers who had no role in agreements between the government and power sector employees. In a release, Bhamy V. Shenoy, founding president of the MGP, criticised the P&G cess, calling it legal but unethical. He said consumers using more than 200 units or those who opted out of free power have been charged an additional 36 paise a unit as the Pension and Gratuity cess. 'Though it was too late to reverse this charge without a massive public protest which is unlikely, registering dissent could deter future imposition of such levies in other forms in future,' said Mr. Shenoy. The Karnataka Electricity Reform (KER) Act, 2002, was enacted to separate power generation, transmission, and distribution, with the State government responsible for funding pensions and gratuities. However, in 2022, the BJP government amended the Act, permitting power companies to recover pension contributions through tariffs, said Mr. Shenoy. Though the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) initially rejected this move, citing the Act's original provisions, the Karnataka High Court upheld the amendment in March 2024, dismissing a challenge by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Shenoy added. He pointed out that the move, while legally sanctioned, amounts to the government reneging on its commitment. 'While the power sector reform took place, the government had agreed to pay its share of pension contribution. Once an agreement is reached, breaking a solemn promise, though legal by amending the law, is unethical and highhanded,' he said. This precedent undermines the KERC's autonomy, the very body established to protect consumers from political interference in tariff decisions, according to the MGP. It also criticised all major political parties for their role in the issue and pointed out that the BJP amended the Act, the Congress government exploited the amendment to offset the cost of its free power scheme, one of its five guarantees. Underlining the imperatives of safeguarding the independence of the KERC to prevent misuse of tariff mechanism for political ends, Mr. Shenoy warned that future governments might impose similar levies for unrelated causes.