Punjab: Veteran Cong leader Lal Singh passes away
Patiala (PTI): Veteran Congress leader and former Punjab Minister Lal Singh passed away on Saturday. Known as the "Bhishma Pitamah" of the Punjab Congress, the 84-year-old leader breathed his last at a private hospital in Mohali.
According to family sources, he complained of breathing difficulties earlier this afternoon at his Chandigarh residence. He was rushed to the hospital in Mohali, where he breathed his last.
Lal Singh's political career spanned nearly five decades.
In the 1990s, he emerged as a powerful and influential minister in the cabinet of the then chief minister Beant Singh, playing a central role in state governance during a transformative period.
He later served as finance minister under the Congress government headed by Amarinder Singh (2002-07). Singh, who also remained a six-term MLA, also served as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC).
First elected in 1977 from Dakala, he represented the constituency five times and later won from Sanour in 2012. He is survived by his son, Kaka Rajinder Singh, and daughter, Rupinder Kaur.
His son and former Samana MLA, Kaka Rajinder Singh, accompanied his father's mortal remains as they were brought to Patiala.
Speaking to PTI over the phone, Kaka Rajinder Singh shared that while the family is in deep mourning, they will consult with relatives and well-wishers before finalising the time and location for the last rites.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
