Mangaluru: Attack on media personnel in Dharmasthala condemned by Dalit Sangharsha Samiti
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district unit of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) has strongly condemned the assault on media personnel, including YouTubers and private TV reporters, during the ongoing SIT-led excavation and investigation in Dharmasthala village following an anonymous complaint.
Addressing a press conference at the city’s Press Club on Saturday, district leader S.P. Anand said that Abhishek, a cameraman from a private channel who belongs to the Dalit community, was among those attacked. He demanded strict legal action against those involved and called for a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to be registered.
“This is not merely an attack on individuals; it is an attempt to undermine the democratic process of bringing the truth to light. Violence against those who question and present facts to the public undermines transparency and accountability. The SIT must be allowed to complete its investigation so that the truth can emerge,” Anand stated.
He added that halting the SIT probe midway would only increase suspicion about the accused. Referring to a video in which one of the attackers used the word “Dhani” (Boss) while threatening the YouTubers, Anand urged police to investigate who was behind such acts of intimidation and rowdy behaviour.
DSS leaders Anil Kumar, Taluk Convener Satish Moodbidri, and members Naveen Moodbidri, Sujith Moodbidri, and Suresh Moodbidri were also present at the press conference.
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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.
