I. FUNCTION AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORATE:

The Head Quarters of the Electrical Inspectorate is located at # 32/1-2, 2nd Floor, Crescent Tower, Crescent .Road, Bangalore 560 001. The department has seven zonal offices at Bangalore South, Bangalore North, Bangalore East, Mangalore, Mysore, Dharwad and Bellary headed by the Deputy Chief Electrical Inspectors. There are 18 Electrical Inspectors working as Divisional Officers in the field and 3 Electrical Inspectors at Head Office, 38 Deputy Electrical Inspectors are working as sub-divisional officers 2 Deputy Electrical Inspectors at Head Office. All these officers are assisted by 37 Assistant Electrical Inspectors out of sanctioned strength of 72.

The main objectives of this department is to ensure that all the electrical installations in the State are in general conformity with the provisions of I.E. Rules 1956 with a specific intention of minimising the danger caused by the electricity to human beings, animal life and to the property.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the department undertakes the following functions:

i. Scrutiny and approval of electrical installation drawings of Generating Stations of KPCL, VVNL, IPPs (Hydel, Thermal, Wind, Diesel, Co-Generation, Bio-mass etc.,) Transmission lines MUSS of Supplier & Licensees, Distribution Systems of ESCOMs, EHT, HT, CG/DG/TG sets, Multistoried buildings of 15 metres & above in height, lifts & escalators, X-ray and Neon sign installations of consumers, cinema and temporary installations.
ii. Initial inspection for verifying safety standards and issue of permission for commissioning of the above electrical installations. To carryout periodical inspection of all the above installations and MV installations after certain time interval.

iii. Investigation of electrical accidents and reporting to the Government, with remedial suggestions to prevent the re- occurrence of the same. And to pursue with the Supplier/ licensee to implement the remedial suggestions.

iv. Enquiring into and adjudication of complaints and disputes referred to the Department between Consumer & Electrical contractor. (Institution of prosecution against persons infringing the provisions of Acts and Rules).

v. Supervision, accounting and collection of electricity consumption tax from different electricity consumers through Supplier/Licensee and Distribution Companies and collecting electricity tax on captive generation.

vi. Issue of electrical contractor licenses, supervisor permits, special wiremen permits, wiremen permits and renewal of the same after certain interval. Conducting examinations for electrical supervisors (Industrial & Mining) and electrical wiremen.

vii. Conducting examinations for issue of cinema operator competency certificates.

In order to ensure total compliance to IE Rules, National Electrical Code and various other statutory requirements of both Central Government and State Government, the Schematic & layout drawings of all HT / EHT /DG / IPP / M.S. Building / Lift / Cinema installations etc., are approved so that the consumer could undertake erection and installation works as per the approved drawings.

The department undertakes periodical inspection of all the categories of installations in order to ensure that the installations are maintained for compliance to the relevant provisions of the Rules and Standards.

The department in compliance to the requirements of I E Rules 1956 has enacted Karnataka (Licensing of Electrical Contractors & Grant of Certificates and Permits to Electrical Supervisors and Wiremen) Rules 1976, for grant of licence to Electrical Contractors, Special wiring permits, Electrical Supervisors (Industrial and Mining) permit and also wiremen permits. The board constituted under the Act & Rules also scrutinizes the applications for renewal of the electrical licenses & Supervisor and wiremen permits. Permission to agencies for undertaking oil filtering, calibration of Metering & protective equipments is also granted by this department. The department also undertakes enquiry of disputes between the Suppliers and Electrical Contractors; & between Licensed Electrical Contractor and Consumers as well as conducting the Licensing Advisory and Examination board Meetings, Conducting Examinations for Electrical / Mining Supervisors and wiremen. Hubli & Bangalore for Industrial Supervisor / Wiremen & Mining at Hutti Gold Mines.

This department also conducts meeting of The Board of Examiners for Cinema Operators, examination for cinema operator & issues permits for successful candidates.

The department oversees the collection of tax on consumption of electricity as laid down under Karnataka Electricity (Taxation on consumption) Act & Rules 1959, from KPTCL, KPCL, Hukkeri Co-operative Society, all ESCOMS, all IPP's and all such consumers consuming electricity from Captive consumption as & when tax is levied by the Government.

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