Verified: 14 April 2026 01:30 pm IST
Industry: Electricity Distribution (State PSU)
Jurisdiction: Mangaluru & Coastal/Malnad Karnataka, India
Primary Regulator: Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC)
Important Safety Warning: Beware of the massive “Disconnection SMS Scam.” Scammers frequently send SMS or WhatsApp messages stating: “Dear Consumer, your electricity power will be disconnected tonight at 9:30 PM because your previous month’s bill was not updated. Please call our officer immediately.” This is a scam. Authentic MESCOM staff will never send alerts from a personal 10-digit mobile number, nor will they ask you to download screen-sharing apps or pay via personal UPI links.
Level 1: Customer Support (Initial Complaint)
How to complain: Register your complaint (power outages, billing issues, meter faults) directly via the MESCOM official web portal, or by calling their 24/7 toll-free helplines at 1912 or 1800-425-1917. For immediate outage reporting and assistance, you can also message their official WhatsApp helpline at +91-9483041912.
Availability: The 1912 helpline, WhatsApp support, and emergency reporting operate 24x7.
Timeline: Standard service requests must be acknowledged immediately. MESCOM aims to resolve general supply issues within 24 to 48 hours and billing complaints within 7 working days.
Source Verification: MESCOM Official Portal
Level 2: Internal Escalation (Nodal Officer)
Who to contact: If Level 1 support fails or your ticket is closed without a fix, you must formally escalate to the Internal Grievance mechanism. You must write to the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) or the Executive Engineer (EE) of your specific MESCOM subdivision, who act as the Nodal Officers for initial escalations.
Timeline: Under KERC guidelines, the subdivision officers must resolve escalated billing and supply disputes within 15 to 30 days.
Source Verification: MESCOM Grievance Redressal
Level 3: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF)
Authority: If the subdivision officer rejects your claim or fails to resolve the issue, you must file a formal petition with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). MESCOM has established CGRFs (comprising technical experts and independent members) specifically to act as quasi-judicial bodies for consumer electricity disputes.
Portal/Contact: You must submit your grievance in writing or via email to your respective MESCOM District CGRF office (located in Mangaluru, Udupi, Shivamogga, or Chikkamagaluru depending on your connection).
Timeline: The CGRF is legally mandated to hear the case and issue a formal order within 60 days of receiving your petition.
Source Verification: KERC Official Guidelines
Level 4: Vidyut Ombudsman (Electricity Ombudsman)
Pre-Litigation: Do not use the e-Jagriti consumer court portal, the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), or CPGRAMS. Standard consumer courts do not have jurisdiction over statutory electricity disputes unless the Ombudsman process is completely exhausted.
Court/Arbitration: If you are aggrieved by the order of the district CGRF, or if they fail to issue an order within 60 days, you must file a representation to the Vidyut Ombudsman (Electricity Ombudsman) appointed by the KERC in Bengaluru.
Timeline: You must file the appeal to the Ombudsman within 30 days from the date of receiving the CGRF order.
Source Verification: Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC)
Community Action: Is MESCOM demanding massive arrears for a faulty meter, or are you looking for the correct template to file a case with the Dakshina Kannada CGRF? Reply below (do not share your passwords, bank details, or your exact Account IDs), and our citizen.complainthub.org community will point you to the right resources!