Zen Citizen

Transferring a BESCOM Connection – Bengaluru

Volunteer Credits: AN navigated this process and patiently endured numerous rounds of questioning by the author to ensure accuracy. Ayushi contributed valuable fieldwork.

Introduction

Offline Route Is More Efficient

Transferring a BESCOM connection can be initiated online, but there are no significant advantages to doing so. We recommend opting for the offline approach, as it is more efficient. While the online process requires uploading documents, you will still need to visit the office to present physical copies (originals are not needed). By choosing the completely offline process and manually filling out the application form, you can save time and avoid potential website glitches.

A DIY Approach Works Well

This process is usually not time-sensitive, as there is generally no urgent need to transfer a BESCOM connection immediately after purchasing a property. This makes it well-suited for a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. However, bribes are openly solicited by staff. For instance, a BESCOM office reportedly demanded ₹3,000 for a single transfer and offered a discounted rate of ₹2,800 per connection for “bulk transfers” involving an entire apartment unit of 100 connections. Despite this, a volunteer successfully completed the process independently within about two weeks, demonstrating that it is entirely possible to navigate the system without paying bribes.

  • Official Fee:
    • ₹100 for Low Tension (LT) connections (voltage: 230-400 volts).
    • ₹500 for High Tension (HT) connections (voltage: 11,000+ volts).
    • Check your electricity bill under the “Tariff” section for LT/HT details (e.g., LT2A).
  • Additional Costs:
    • Stamp Paper: ₹500 each for the Indemnity Bond and Power Supply Agreement (total ₹1,000).
    • Notarization: ₹10 per page for document proof like the sale deed (notaries available near sub-registrar offices).

Documents Required

  1. Application Form available here as well as in Appendix section (print pages 1 & 2)
  2. Photo ID proof (Aadhar, Passport, Driving License, or Voter ID).
  3. Latest paid BESCOM electricity bill (with no arrears).
  4. Ownership Transfer Documents (Notarized)
    • Sale Deed (for property sale).
    • Partition Deed (for property partition).
    • Succession/Heirship Certificate (for inheritance).
    • Lease Deed or Rent Receipt (for tenants).
  5. Latest Property Tax Paid Receipt.
  6. Khata Certificate (eKhata not mandatory)
  7. No Objection Certificate (NOC):
    • Original copy signed by the previous owner (or the current property owner if you are a renter).
    • Template available on page 5 of the application form, can be handwritten.
    • If provided by a builder, ensure it is on letterhead.
  8. Power Supply Agreement (on ₹500 stamp paper) – the template is available on Pages 6-9 here
  9. Indemnity Bond (on ₹500 stamp paper) – the template is available on Page 10 here
  10. Printout of the photo of electricity meter (ensure visibility of the Serial Number and latest reading of units consumed) and meter box cover (ensure visibility of the RR number)
    • If the meter does not display the reading, press the button on the meter a few times until it shows the current reading.
    • Make sure the reading reflects the most recent consumption, ideally no more than 2-3 days before submitting the application, preferably after your last bill date. This ensures that the meter reading aligns with the most recent electricity bill you’re submitting.
    • If the meter is located behind a locked grill (common in large apartment buildings), you will need to coordinate with the security guard or the building’s electrician to unlock it for you or send a photo of the meter.
    • Save the photo on your mobile for reference, just in case it’s needed later. A black-and-white printout of the photo is sufficient.
  11. Passport size photo: While the instructions posted on the wall of the office indicated that a passport size photo is required, our volunteer was not asked to provide one during the process. It seems that, while it is technically part of the requirements, it may not always be requested. It’s a good idea to have one ready just in case. Here are instructions to create a passport size photograph without going to the studio

Filling Out the Application Form

  • Take a printout of pages 1 and 2 of the application form.
  • Do not fill in the ‘For Office Use’ section on Page 2.
  • Tips for completing the form:
    • Account ID: This is a 10-digit unique number printed on your electricity bill.
    • Revenue Registration Number (RR No.): This is the power supply connection number painted on the meter board and also printed on monthly electricity bills.
    • Name of Existing Customer: This refers to the name of the seller of the property.
    • Name of Proposed Customer: This refers to the name of the new owner of the property, i.e., the person to whom the electricity connection is being transferred.
    • Question 2 – Security Deposit: Select ‘To be transferred from the present consumer’ if the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the previous owner indicates their agreement to transfer the security deposit.
    • Address of the Consumer: Under the ‘Signature’ section, mention the address where the meter is installed.

Office Visit

Finding the Relevant Office

You will need to visit Operational & Maintenance (O&M) office and Sub Divisional Office (SDO).

You can determine which SDO you need to visit, and the corresponding O&M office by:

  • Using the BESCOM Website:
    • Log in to the BESCOM website and navigate to the ‘My Profile’ section.
    • Look for the ‘Sub Division’ heading, where you’ll find the office details for your area. Login here.
  • Using Your Physical Bill Copy:
    • On the 4th line of your electricity bill, you’ll find the name of the subdivision office and the office code.
      Example: ‘O/o AEE (Ele) E4-WHITEFIELD’.

Use the SDO code to locate the address on the BESCOM website. Select either the Bangalore Metropolitan Area North Zone or the Bangalore Metropolitan Area South Zone based on your location.

What to expect at the O&M office

Your first stop is the Operational & Maintenance (O&M) Unit office, where the Junior Engineer (JE) is based.

Bring all the necessary documentation with you. The JE or their assistant will complete the section marked ‘For Office Use’ on page 2 of the application form. This is based on the picture of the meter you provide.

The JE will also verify that the address on the electricity bill matches the address on the supporting document (e.g., the sale deed). Ideally, the JE should personally inspect the meter to ensure accuracy. However, this step is often replaced by reviewing a photo of the meter provided by the citizen. While this method is not foolproof, it is generally accepted, as additional checks may be conducted after the application is submitted to confirm that the meter in the photo corresponds to the specified address.

Once the verification is complete, the JE will sign and affix a seal on Page 2 of the application form.

What to expect at the Sub-Division Office

  • Take the application with the signature and seal of the JE, and all the necessary documentation to the Sub Division office. 
  • Cash Counter Hours: 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM.
  • The Cashier may not provide an acknowledgement receipt but instead ask you to treat the ₹100 payment receipt as the official acknowledgement. To ensure your process is properly documented, we strongly recommend insisting on an official acknowledgement receipt, especially if you plan to file an appeal later.

Planning for the office visits

Plan to visit the O&M office in the morning. After completing the process at the O&M office, you will need to proceed to the Sub Divisional Office (SDO), where the cash counter closes at 3:30 PM. Visiting the O&M office in the afternoon could result in missing the cash counter’s closing time (JE’s can come back 3:15p from lunch when our volunteer visited the office), necessitating another trip.

Timeline, Tracking & Appeal Process

Timeline

Under the Sakala scheme, the process is officially required to be completed within seven working days of application and payment. In practice, it typically takes 2-3 weeks.

Tracking the application

  • Tracking via Sakala Website:
    After submitting your application, you will receive a Guarantee of Services to Citizens (GSC) Number. Use this number to track the status of your service request on the Sakala website under the ‘Check Service Request Status’ section on the homepage.
  • If you applied offline, you will not receive any notifications at any stage of the process. To confirm completion:
    • Physical Bill: Check if your name appears on the electricity bill delivered to your address.
    • Online Check: Use the BESCOM Mithra app or the Quick Pay section on the BESCOM website to verify.
  • If you applied online, you can track your service request by logging into the BESCOM website. The status can be accessed through the panel on the left-hand side.

Appeal Process

  • If delayed, file an appeal on the Sakala website using the acknowledgment number provided by the cashier.

Youtube Video: How to change owner name in Electricity bill in BANGALORE

Appendix

Application Form (pdf file also includes format for NOC, Power Supply Agreement & Indemnity Bond)

Form 13 – Application for transferring BESCOM connectionDownload

Photo of meter

Photo of meter cover

Partial screenshot of electricity bill where the Sub-Division office is mentioned

Screenshot of the part of the application that is filled in by the JE at the O&M office