CM urges Odisha people to avoid panic buying, hoarding amid West Asia crisis
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged the people of the state to refrain from panic buying to keep the supply chain functioning smoothly amid the West Asia conflict.
He also lauded the Central government's move to cut excise duty on petroleum, terming it a "timely" and a forward-looking step that prioritises citizens and upholds the 'nation first' principle.
The government has slashed excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each, a move aimed at shielding domestic consumers from a surge in global oil prices triggered by the West Asia conflict, at an estimated revenue cost of Rs 1.75 lakh crore.
After attending a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with chief ministers and lieutenant governors to discuss the situation arising out of the West Asia conflict, Majhi said the Odisha government was following the national approach towards the crisis.
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"The state Government is ensuring that accurate information reaches every citizen, the availability of essential commodities remains uninterrupted, and any instances of hoarding or black marketing are strictly prevented," he said in a post on X.
The chief minister appealed to the people of Odisha to remain aware of the evolving situation, exercise patience, and avoid unnecessary purchasing so that the system functions smoothly.
He said the meeting focused on the 'Team India' spirit to overcome the challenges ahead, emphasising economic stability, proactive agricultural planning, and focused attention on border and coastal states for shipping and essential supplies.
Chairing the meeting on Friday night, Prime Minister Modi on Friday said the global situation arising out of the West Asia conflict remains dynamic, and asserted that maintaining economic and trade stability, ensuring energy security, strengthening industry and supply chains, and safeguarding citizens' interests remain the government's top priorities.
This was the first time that the prime minister held a meeting with the chief ministers on the West Asia conflict that started on February 28 with attacks by the US-Israel combine on Iran, prompting retaliatory action by Tehran on its Gulf neighbours and Israel.
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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.
