Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued new directives on March 3, 2026, aiming to simplify the process of linking Aadhaar numbers with Revenue Registration (RR) numbers for irrigation pump sets, with a focus on pump sets with a load of 10 horsepower and below. This move aims to accelerate farmers' access to government subsidies and improve database accuracy.

Previously, KERC required distribution companies to complete Aadhaar linking by May 2023, but the Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) failed to fully implement it. During public hearings, consumers reported difficulties in updating records due to administrative and procedural issues. Many farmers stated that RR numbers were still registered in the names of deceased relatives, and heirs faced delays in transferring land documents, affecting the update of electricity records. ESCOMs had refused to process name changes for accounts with outstanding dues, further hindering the process.

To address the issues, KERC Chairman P. Ravi Kumar and members H. K. Jagadeesh and Jawaid Akhtar issued revised guidelines. According to the new rules, distribution companies can transfer the ownership of electricity connections to legal heirs without requiring prior payment of outstanding dues. The documentation process has also been simplified, allowing consumers to submit an undertaking instead of waiting for formal land record transfers, and name change fees are waived in such cases.

KERC believes that removing these obstacles will help farmers complete Aadhaar linking more conveniently. This measure is expected to drive the state towards achieving 100% Aadhaar linkage for irrigation pump connections, ensuring timely subsidy benefits for eligible farmers.