Fire breaks out in Manipalla hill; burns trees, plants and bushes
Fire covers 15 acres of forest, villagers are fighting to douse it
Mangaluru, Jan 17: Fire broke out in Manipalla hills in Kuppepadavu gram panchayat limits near Bajpe on Thursday and it has spread to more than 15 acres of forest area. The villagers have been fighting it out to douse the fire.
“After 5 pm, heavy smoke emanated from the hill and later, it has converted into fire. Acacia, Menjamu and other species of shrubs and trees were gutted in the fire. Apart from the trees and plants, animals like snakes, rabbits, birds and other wild animals also died in the forest fire”, social worker Sulaiman told Varthabharati.
Villagers succeeded in dousing the fire on either side of the road near the hill. But they could not do anything to extinguish the fire atop the hill. However, the fire brigade has been trying to douse the fire.
Though the fire extinguishing work was taken up on war-footing, it has been spreading to other places. Manipalla village has 40-45 houses and a petrol station was also near to the hill, he said.
More than 150 youth of the village have been trying to douse the fire by bringing water. So far, no elected representatives visited the spot and take measures to douse the fire, he said.
“Manipalla hill has been getting fire for the last few years. But nobody knows who is behind this incident. Concerned authorities were already informed about it. Rescue operation is going on and villagers are asked to take care about the fire”
-DP Hammabba, Kuppepadavu Gram Panchayat Vice President
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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.
