Outrage among Bhatkal residents against HESCOM over hefty Electricity billing during lockdown
Bhatkal: Residents in Bhatkal are left shocked and outraged after their electricity bills have reportedly inflated significantly during the Coronavirus lockdown. Supported by an independent study, a local organization 'Speech Foundation’ in Bhatkal recently evening organized a virtual press conference to detail their claims.
The organization claimed that it had independently studied the electricity bill cycles of 31 houses of various localities in Bhatkal and had come across major inflation in bills during the lockdown period. It added, in some cases the inflation as high as 177%.
Of the 31 one cases studied by the organization, at least 8 cases had unprecedented inflation of over 100% while one case clocked inflation of 99%.
The members of the organization, part of the independent study asserted that it was evident the HESCOM had charged exorbitantly to the consumers post lockdown as cumulative bills for 3 month period are excessively high.
The inputs of the study shared showed that the study was based on the bills of the previous eight months. It also added that the HESCOM had possibly failed to apply monthly consumption slab formulas which have resulted in the inflated bills that have caused inconveniences to the people in town.
It noted “It’s been observed HESCOM failed to apply monthly consumption slab formulas. It's assumed they applied the highest tariffs per unit charges by issuing a three-month bill” adding that it was not ruling out the possibility of a scam on the part of HESCOM who might just take advantage of COVID-19 crisis to loot people.
On being asked, what the organization believed was the solution, Abu Hajar, who had extensively took part in the campaign and study asserted that the HESCOM on an immediate basis should respond and should come up with a solution on its own or immediately waive off the extensive amounts of the bill. It also added that it was open to negotiating if the power supply company would charge the highest bill of the consumer in one year before the lockdown.
People on the other hand have also alleged irregularities and lack of response from the local authorities with social media claims adding that in some cases the authorities forced consumers to pay the bills as it has been charged or to face disconnection of power supply. This, the claims added had resulted in people paying off the bills fearing disconnection of power supply.
The organization also added that it had officially contacted HESCOM with their findings through email but claimed that they were yet to get a response from the authority.
Interestingly, similar reports have come in from various parts of the country including in a few places in Karnataka wherein people have alleged scam on the part of power supply companies and have sought the attention of the government to the issue.
Vartha Bharati also tried to contact officials of HESCOM but they were unavailable for immediate comment. The story will be updated as and when we get their comment on the issue.
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Deep societal faultlines persist despite 75 years of independence: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
Judge cites denial of home to Muslim girl, opposition to Dalit women cooking mid-day meals
Hyderabad, February 23, 2026: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has said that despite repeated affirmations of constitutional morality by courts, deep societal faultlines rooted in caste and religious discrimination continue to shape everyday realities in India.
Speaking at a seminar on “Constitutional Morality and the Role of District Judiciary” organised by the Telangana Judges Association and the Telangana State Judicial Academy in Hyderabad, Justice Bhuyan reflected on the gap between constitutional ideals and social practices.
He cited a recent instance involving his daughter’s friend, a PhD scholar at a private university in Noida, who was denied accommodation in South Delhi after her surname revealed her Muslim identity. According to Justice Bhuyan, the landlady bluntly informed her that no accommodation was available once her religious background became known.
In another example from Odisha, he referred to resistance by some parents to the government’s mid-day meal programme because the food was prepared by Dalit women employed as cooks. He noted that some parents had objected aggressively and refused to allow their children to consume meals cooked by members of the Scheduled Caste community.
Describing these incidents as “the tip of the iceberg,” Justice Bhuyan said they reveal how far society remains from the benchmark of constitutional morality even 75 years into the Republic. He observed that while the Constitution lays down standards of equality and dignity, the morality practised within homes and communities often diverges sharply from those values.
He emphasised that constitutional morality requires governance through the rule of law rather than the rule of popular opinion. Referring to the evolution of the doctrine through judicial decisions, he cited Naz Foundation v Union of India, in which the Delhi High Court read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, holding that popular morality cannot restrict fundamental rights under Article 21. Though the judgment was later overturned in Suresh Kumar Koushal v Naz Foundation, the Supreme Court ultimately restored and expanded the principle in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India, affirming that constitutional morality must prevail over majoritarian views.
“In our constitutional scheme, it is the constitutionality of the issue before the court that is relevant, not the dominant or popular view,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also addressed the functioning of the district judiciary, underlining that trial courts are the first point of contact for most litigants and form the foundation of the justice delivery system. He stressed that due importance must be given to the recording of evidence and adjudication of bail matters.
Highlighting the role of High Courts, he said their supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution is intended as a shield to correct grave jurisdictional errors, not as a mechanism to substitute the discretion or factual appreciation of trial judges.
He recalled that several distinguished judges, including Justice H R Khanna, Justice A M Ahmadi, and Justice Fathima Beevi, began their careers in the district judiciary.
On representation within the judicial system, Justice Bhuyan noted that Telangana has made significant strides in gender inclusion. Out of a sanctioned strength of 655 judicial officers in the Telangana Judicial Service, 478 are currently serving, of whom 283 are women, exceeding 50 per cent representation. He added that members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minority communities, and persons with disabilities are also represented in the state’s judiciary.
He observed that greater representation of women, marginalised communities, persons with disabilities, and sexual minorities would help make the judiciary more inclusive and reflective of India’s diversity. “The judiciary must represent all the colours of the rainbow and become a rainbow institution,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also referred to the recent restoration by the Supreme Court of the requirement of a minimum three years of practice at the Bar for entry-level judicial posts. While acknowledging that the requirement ensures practical exposure, he cautioned that its impact on women aspirants, especially those from rural or small-town backgrounds facing social and financial constraints, would need to be carefully observed over time.
Concluding his address, he reiterated that the justice system must strive to bridge the gap between constitutional ideals and lived realities, ensuring that the rule of law remains paramount.
