In a relief for homeowners awaiting permanent electricity connections, the State government has granted a one-time exemption from the mandatory Occupancy Certificate (OC) requirement for newly-constructed residential buildings.Under the special permission, owners of completed residential buildings can obtain permanent electricity connections without producing an Occupancy Certificate issued by the local bodies including the city corporations and municipalities.According to the government order, the relaxation applies to residential buildings constructed on sites measuring up to 2,400 sq. ft., with a permissible deviation of up to 20 per cent, within the jurisdiction of municipal corporations, urban local bodies and gram panchayats. The exemption covers residential structures up to ground-plus-three floors (G+3) or stilt parking plus four floors.The benefit is available for applicants who had applied for permanent electricity connections on or before May 31, 2026, for buildings constructed using temporary power connections, as well as for completed houses that are yet to receive an electricity connection, according to a release issued by the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC).The government has stated that eligible consumers must submit their applications within 15 days from the date of the order to avail themselves of the concession.The exemption has also been extended to farmhouses, houses occupied by farmers, agricultural equipment storage sheds, cattle sheds and sericulture rearing houses in rural areas.CESC urged eligible residents within its jurisdiction to approach the nearest sub-divisional office for guidance and submission of applications. Published - June 24, 2026 08:37 pm IST