Major fire guts oil mill in Kannur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): A major fire gutted an oil mill at Karuvanchal in this district on Saturday, officials said.
According to Fire and Rescue Service officials, the fire broke out at Gramika Oil Mill at Vayattuparambu, Karuvanchal, around 6.30 am.
Two fire tenders from Thaliparamba and one each from Peringome and Kannur stations reached the spot, and firefighting operations began by 7 am.
All equipment and dried coconut stocked at the mill for oil production were destroyed in the fire, an official said.
The blaze was brought under control after a two-hour-long firefighting effort.
Preventive measures were also taken to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings, including a nearby church, officials said.
Firefighters suspect an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire, but the exact cause will be confirmed only after further examination, the officer added.
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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.
