Mangaluru, Jan 5: In Democracy, media is essential to uphold the freedom of expression, opined police commissioner TR Suresh.

He was speaking at a felicitation programme jointly organised by the Mangaluru Press Club, DK District Union of Working Journalists and Press Bhavan Trust to felicitate Mahalinga Naik at the Urwa Church Hall here on Sunday.

Police commissioner appreciated the media persons for recognizing the achievements of a farmer and extending him moral support. "Felicitating this farmer (Mahalinga Naik) is a great programme," he said.

Solaced after drinking water at waterless place: Press Club Award Winner Amai Malinga Naik

Speaking after receiving the Press Club Award of 2018, Progressive farmer Amai Mahalinga Naika said, "People mocked me when I began to dig the suranga. But now, I feel solace when I see people coming to that waterless area getting drinking water," he said.

 "Landlord Mahabala Bhat had gifted me 2 acres of barren land. Even after digging three surangas, water had remained elusive. People mocked me. But I did not stop. I resumed digging. Finally got water. Then I started growing paddy. Later I grew areca nut palms, coconut trees, cashew trees, banana saplings, and pepper vines," he added.

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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.