Police case against Tamil TV channel condemned
Chennai, June 10: Political parties on Sunday condemned a case registered by the Tamil Nadu Police against a TV channel, one of its employees and a movie director in connection with a debate held in Coimbatore.
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko said the case was an attack on the freedom of the press.
The Puthiathalaimurai channel recorded the debate on Friday based on the topic whether the protests in Tamil Nadu were for the people's rights or for political reasons.
Leaders of various political parties participated in the debate.
A group of people started shouting when movie director Ameer started to speak. Attempts to pacify the sloganeers were in vain and the programme was cut short.
The police registered the case after receiving a complaint from the hall owners.
The CPI's Tamil Nadu Secretary R.Mutharasan demanded that the state government withdraw the cases.
Condemning the police action, the Madras Reporters Guild in a statement termed the case frivolous and unwarranted.
"The case tantamounts to curbing not only freedom of the press but also freedom of speech and expression which is guaranteed under the Constitution," the statement said.
"Opinions expressed by various politicians and political parties during such current affairs programmes are not those of the channel. Diverse opinions are expressed during such programmes, and the channels are in no way responsible for the statements and views of such political parties and politicians," it 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.
