The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has issued a major order to safeguard electricity consumers from unfair billing practices followed by power distribution companies in the state. The order, dated May 21, 2026, was passed by the Commission bench comprising Chairman P. Ravi Kumar and Members H.K. Jagadeesh and Jawaid Akhtar. The move comes after the Commission received several complaints from consumers regarding reduced payment time for electricity bills due to delays in bill generation and distribution.

As per the Karnataka Electricity Supply Code, 2004, distribution licensees are required to provide consumers with a minimum of fifteen days from the bill date to make payment. The rules also state that if the payment due date falls on a public holiday, the deadline should automatically be extended to the next working day. However, the Commission observed that many distribution companies were not following these provisions properly.

According to the findings of the Commission, electricity bills were often being generated and delivered to consumers after the scheduled billing date. Despite the delay, the due date for payment was still being calculated from the original scheduled billing date instead of the actual date on which the bill was issued to the consumer. As a result, consumers were getting fewer days to pay their electricity bills, leading to inconvenience, confusion, and unnecessary financial pressure.

The KERC noted that this practice was against the spirit of consumer protection and denied citizens a fair and reasonable opportunity to make timely payments. In response, the Commission exercised its powers under Clause 11 of the Electricity Supply Code and issued strict directions to all electricity distribution licensees operating in Karnataka.

Under the new directions, every electricity bill generated by a licensee must clearly mention the exact date and time of issuance through a system-generated print or time stamp. The Commission has also directed that the payment due date must now be calculated only from the actual date of bill issuance and not from the originally planned billing schedule.

The order further clarifies that in cases where bills are issued late or beyond the approved billing cycle, consumers must still receive a minimum of fifteen clear days to make payment from the actual bill generation date. This measure is aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness in the billing process.

KERC has made it mandatory for all distribution licensees to follow these directions for every electricity bill issued on or after June 1, 2026. The Commission also warned that any violation of these rules would attract strict legal action under Section 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The order specifically states that personal responsibility may be fixed on the Managing Directors of distribution companies found violating the regulations.

The latest directive is being viewed as an important step by the Commission to improve accountability, transparency, and consumer rights in Karnataka’s power sector.

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