In a major clampdown on unauthorised constructions, the Goa Electricity Department has announced that no new electricity connections will be issued to illegal structures or buildings based sole ly on Enabling Housing Number (EHN) tags. The decision follows a government directive clarifying that EHN tags do not confer any legal status to such structures. Until now, the department had allowed temporary relaxations by considering EHN tags for granting power connections under clause 5.30(3) of the Supply Code Regu lation 2018. However, this provi sion has now been withdrawn with immediate effect. The circular, issued by Chief Electrical En gineer Stephen Fernandes, cites a clarifica tion from the state government and a High Court order dated March 6, 2025. Accord ing to the clarification, the issuance of EHN numbers is strictly for taxation purposes by local bodies and cannot be construed as ap proval or recognition of the legality of any structure. “It is clarified that grant of EHN number to unauthorized structure does not in any way grant legal status to house. The purpose of EHN number is only limited to the purpose of taxation for the local bodies. Thus, no new connection to be released for EHN numbers,” the circular stated. The directive further reinforces that appli cants must furnish valid construction licens es and technical clearance certificates before any new electricity connection can be sanc tioned. This aligns with the High Court’s rul ing, which mandates these documents as pre requisites for power supply to new buildings or homes. Sub-divisional officers across the state have been directed to enforce the order strictly and ensure that no exceptions are made. The department’s tough stance comes amid growing concern over the mushrooming of illegal constructions across Goa, with many previously exploiting the EHN-based relax ations to secure electricity and other civic amenities. The decision follows a government directive clarifying that EHN tags do not confer any legal status to such structures. Until now, the department had allowed temporary relaxations by considering EHN tags for granting power connections under clause 5.30(3) of the Supply Code Regu lation 2018. However, this provi sion has now been withdrawn with immediate effect. The circular, issued by Chief Electrical En gineer Stephen Fernandes, cites a clarifica tion from the state government and a High Court order dated March 6, 2025. Accord ing to the clarification, the issuance of EHN numbers is strictly for taxation purposes by local bodies and cannot be construed as ap proval or recognition of the legality of any structure. “It is clarified that grant of EHN number to unauthorized structure does not in any way grant legal status to house. The purpose of EHN number is only limited to the purpose of taxation for the local bodies. Thus, no new connection to be released for EHN numbers,” the circular stated. The directive further reinforces that appli cants must furnish valid construction licens es and technical clearance certificates before any new electricity connection can be sanc tioned. This aligns with the High Court’s rul ing, which mandates these documents as pre requisites for power supply to new buildings or homes. Sub-divisional officers across the state have been directed to enforce the order strictly and ensure that no exceptions are made. The department’s tough stance comes amid growing concern over the mushrooming of illegal constructions across Goa, with many previously exploiting the EHN-based relax ations to secure electricity and other civic amenities.
Goa Electricity Department Bars Power Connections to Unauthorized Buildings Based on EHN Tags
