Studying Constitution strengthens commitment to national service: Om Birla
Jaipur (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said the Constitution is not merely a collection of laws but the soul of India and a guiding force for the nation's character.
Addressing a programme at a private university in Jaipur, Birla said justice, liberty, equality and fraternity form the foundation of India's democracy and it is essential for the youth to understand and practise these values.
The event was organised on the eve of Constitution day.
Recalling the journey of Constitution-making, Birla said it was an extension of the freedom movement.
"After independence, the bigger challenge was nation-building amid hundreds of princely states, diverse cultures and multiple ideologies. Leaders like B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad engaged in three years of extensive deliberations to frame a Constitution that assures justice and rights to every citizen," he said.
Birla said today, India is the world's largest and strongest democracy with growing public participation and deepening faith in constitutional values.
“Studying the Constitution strengthens commitment to national service," he added.
The speaker further said India's biggest strength in the coming years will be its youth, who are contributing to global solutions in climate change, medicine, disaster management and technology.
"Educational institutions must further cultivate constitutional values, duty-consciousness and national interest among students," he said, adding that the Parliament is working to strengthen the study of the Constitution across schools, colleges and universities.
"A strong India will emerge only when the younger generation understands its heritage and democratic traditions," he said.
Birla also called upon universities to become global centres of innovation and research to pave the way for a developed India.
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.
