Belthangady MLA urges police action against spread of misinformation on Dharmasthala burial probe
Mangaluru: Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja has called on police to take strict action against those spreading false information regarding the ongoing investigation into alleged burials near Dharmasthala. Speaking to the media on Saturday, he said that he has refrained from commenting publicly on the matter, in order to avoid disrupting the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) work.
Poonja pointed out that the SIT has yet to provide any official updates or submit an interim report to the State government. He asked law enforcement to file suo motu cases against those disseminating unverified claims, whether in support of or against the investigation as misinformation circulating about the probe has upset the local community. The MLA further urged the state government to take appropriate measures to maintain peace and order in the region.
Addressing a related issue, Poonja mentioned that around ten Hindu activists and BJP workers have been named in connection with a group clash at Pangala in Dharmasthala on August 6, following the assault of three YouTubers and a cameraman. He maintained that these activists are innocent and said that police registered cases under political pressure from left-wing groups and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).
He also encouraged authorities to act equitably and avoid targeting Hindu activists and BJP workers and warned against actions that could instill distrust among the people.
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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.
