TANGEDCO urged to correct error regarding Completion Certificate for new electricity connections
Chennai: There has been constant pressure on TANGEDCO to insist on completion certificate and building approval from applicants for new service connections of electricity. As a result, it was expected that unauthorised constructions would disappear and compliance with law is ensured.
On 14-05-2020, TANGEDCO issued a memo to its offices to insist on completion certificate and planning permit for new service connections. The memo relied on The Tamilnadu Combined Development and Building Rules 2019 vide GO no 18 dated 4-2-2019.
The rules, Part IV Completion Certificate Section 20, insisted on certain buildings to obtain completion certificate and mandated service providers of electric power connection, water supply and sewerage connection to give connection only after production of completion certificate by the applicant. The rules also indicated class of buildings exempted from this requirement.
The rules exempt residential buildings up to 12m in height not exceeding 3 dwelling units or 750 square metres, but the memo exempts residential buildings up to 12m height not exceeding 3 dwelling units and other buildings up to 750 square metres. The TANGEDCO does not legally follow the rules but implements its own; maybe this is an error. With the memo, non-residential buildings up to 750 sqm go exempted from obtaining completion certificate and this is a violation of the rules.
Therefore, TANGEDCO has been requested to correct the error, re-issue and implement suitably to reflect the rules. In addition, the memo should also mention that it is subject to the outcome of the writs filed before Honourable Madras High Court challenging the validity of the entire Rules. There is an interim order to this effect on the verdicts for the writs. Association of Registered Professional Engineers have represented with Tangedco.