Contractors oppose self-certification of installations up to 150 KW

Belagavi: Electrical contractors and other stakeholders have opposed a proposal in the draft Electricity Supply Regulations that would allow consumers to certify the safety of electrical installations up to 150 KW, stating that they lack the technical expertise and equipment required for the job.The objection was raised during a public hearing conducted by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) for Belagavi and Vijayapura districts at the Zilla Panchayat meeting hall here on Wednesday.KERC Chairperson P Ravi Kumar said the Commission had begun public hearings across Karnataka to gather suggestions and objections to the draft regulations. Belagavi was the first venue for the exercise.“We will collect the opinions of people across the state and submit a report to the government, incorporating their suggestions and objections. The KERC has no vested interest in the matter and is only seeking the views of the people,” he said.Karnataka | Private firm in power supply: Bescom files objection with KERC Electrical contractors urged the Commission to retain the existing system under which licensed contractors undertake electrical installation works and certify their safety.They said they possessed the necessary licences, skilled manpower and specialised equipment, while allowing consumers to undertake the certification could compromise safety standards.“Customers do not have the necessary technical expertise or equipment to conduct the required tests and certify installations.“They also face difficulties in following up with electricity supply companies to get the required work completed,” they said.Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene general secretary Prem Chougala said farmers often faced difficulties in completing online applications and documentation for electricity connections and transformer installations.He urged the KERC to continue the existing system of licensed contractors handling the procedures and certification.Belagavi Chamber of Commerce and Industries director Prabhakar Nagarmunoli said industries were not receiving timely services from electricity supply companies.He said voltage fluctuations sometimes damaged costly CNC machines and alleged that industries faced difficulties in obtaining compensation for such losses.KERC members Javed Akhtar and H K Jagadish were present.

Source: Deccan Herald