Coalition govt has to face Speaker election test before floor test
Bengaluru, May 24: The JDS-Congress coalition government has to face the tough test of electing the Speaker before winning the floor test in the Assembly. This has created curiosity in the political circle.
On Thursday, former minister KR Ramesh Kumar has filed his nomination as the JDS-Congress candidate for the Speaker position. Against Ramesh Kumar, Suresh Kumar of BJP has filed his nomination papers which made the election more colourful. As there are two contenders for the Speaker post, election would be held at the first Assembly session to be held on May 25 at 12.15 pm. The voting might be through voice vote or raising the hands.
As per the present strength, the Congress-JDS combine has the edge against BJP candidate. So, it is almost sure that Ramesh Kumar would elect as the Speaker of the Assembly.
Since the BJP is the largest party in the Assembly with 104 seats, it would definitely give strong fight to JDS-Congress combine in the election. But the BJP does not have the required number of votes to win the Speaker post. Even then, it has fielded its candidate to test its luck. It has planned to gain the support of the MLAs of JDS-Congress combine who are dissatisfied. But it is said that the BJP has bleak chances to win the election.
Ramesh Kumar has already worked as the Speaker and has managed the Assembly efficiently. So, the Congress has chosen Ramesh Kumar for the post.
No secrete voting
“There is no provision for secrete voting in electing Speaker. The Speaker would be elected through open voting. The Secretariat would place the proposals of the contenders who have already filed their nomination papers. The election process would be held through voice voting, rising hands or by standing up in their places”.
--S Murthy, Assembly Secretary
Ramesh Kumar’s election is sure: DyCM
“KR Ramesh Kumar has filed his nomination papers for the Speaker post from JDS-Congress combine. He has done a good job as the Speaker earlier also. He would once again become the Speaker”.
Dr G Parameshwar, Deputy Chief Minister
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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.
