Udupi, August 15: Residents of Gerukatte in Perampalli in the city staged a protest keeping the body of a dalit youth who died of alleged negligence of the district government hospital authorities, in front of his house on Wednesday.

The victim is identified as Bhaskar (36), son of Narsi and late Gopal of Gerukatte. Bhaskar who was suffering from kidney problem, was got treatment from the hospital two days ago. But the doctor said that his health problem was not serious and treated him. But yesterday, the problem was aggravated and suddenly, he was admitted to the hospital’, said Nagaraj, brother of Bhaskar.

“The doctors said that he was referred to Wenlock hospital of Mangaluru as there was no facility for the treatment at the district hospital. Followed by their advice, they have shifted him to Wenlock hospital. There also, they did not get bed at the ICU and the doctors asked us to take him to a private hospital. Later, he died on the way to Manipal hospital”, he said.

Demand for compensation

Family members and local people led by Ambalpady Umesh of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi staged a protest keeping the body in front of the deceased house, demanding suitable compensation to the family of the victim and required facilities at the Udupi district hospital.

‘The deputy commissioner should conduct an enquiry into the negligence of the district hospital. Such problem should not happen to any others in future. Like Wenlock hospital, all facilities should be provided at the district hospital. This would ensure justice to the death of Bhaskar and poor people would be benefited, said Uday Kumar.  

Bhaskar died because he did not get treatment in time at the district hospital. Instead of advising the family members to take him to Manipal hospital, the doctors have asked them to take him to Mangaluru hospital which is far away from Udupi, he said.

This is second death in two years

Family members of the deceased Bhaskar alleged that two years ago, his brother Harish (32), who was suffering from same problem, was also died due to the negligence of the doctors. Now, Bhaskar complained of the same problem, they have tried to get him good treatment and appealed the deputy commissioner on August 14 to ensure suitable treatment.

Within two years, the poor family has lost two members. Among seven children, three members are there and they are living in a thatched hut. The government should immediately disburse the compensation to the poor family, the local people demanded.

 

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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.