Kerala govt orders unified shift system to all private hospital employees
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala government has issued an order to implement a unified shift system for all categories of employees, including nurses, in private hospitals in the state, irrespective of the number of beds.
The order, issued by the Department of Employment and Skills, is expected to be a solace to hundreds of workers in the private health sector.
The order, dated October 18, was issued amending a previous order allowing the implementation of the 3-shift system for employees of private hospitals with more than 100 beds in the state.
A copy of the order was shared with the media on Tuesday.
Based on the recommendation of the Veerakamar Committee and the recommendation and suggestions of the Private Hospital Industry Liaison Committee, an order was issued in 2021 making all categories of employees in private hospitals with more than 100 beds in the state entitled to a three-shift system (6/6/12 hours).
As per the order, they are also entitled to an overtime allowance for work exceeding eight hours per day, 48 hours per week, or 208 hours per month.
The order also emphasised providing restroom facilities at the hospital for employees who lack transport to reach home.
In response to opinions from sector representatives, the government has issued a fresh order expanding the scope of the rule. It now applies to "all categories of employees in private hospitals in the state," rather than only to those in hospitals with more than 100 beds.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
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.
