Kolkata (PTI): Altogether 640 people were arrested from various parts of Kolkata for illegal activities, such as bursting of banned fireworks, disorderly conduct and gambling, during the Kali Puja celebration a day ago, a police officer said on Tuesday.

The police also seized 852.45 kgs of fireworks and 68.4 litres of liquor during the puja on Monday night, he said.

Altogether, 451 people were arrested for disorderly conduct, 183 for bursting of illegal fireworks and six for gambling, he said.

Kolkata Traffic Police also prosecuted a total of 882 people for pillion-rider without helmet, bursting firecrackers, disorderly conduct, and rash driving, the officer said.

Ninety-nine people were prosecuted for drunk driving, and 156 for violation of rules, he added.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.

The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.

As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.

"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.

"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.

Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.