Paying fees mandatory to protest against injustice, illegality!
This is an order of the State Police Department
Mangaluru, Jan 18: Raising voice against injustice and illegality is one of the rights of the people. Usually people organise protests, Dharnas, condemnation meetings to raise their voice. And yes, this is a democratic life.
It is common that depending on the circumstances, people from various organisations keep on protesting in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildar, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, and Police Department almost every day.
But now, to suppress these struggles, the state government has ordered to collect the fixed fees for giving permissions to organise private meetings, conventions, and protests.
As such, the Mangaluru City Police Department has started collecting fees. To use loudspeakers in a programme, people must pay Rs. 75 for the first day, then it can be continued by paying Rs. 15 per day after that. That means, Rs. 450 per month. Besides that, it has asked to pay. Rs. 500 per day for a peaceful assembly and march.
There is an attempt to suppress struggles through this rule that is dangerous for democracy. DYFI has always been involved in the struggles. We got this information when we went to the police station seeking permission to protest against BJP's resort politics. The government should drop this rule immediately. The police department must clarify what this order says about religious and social programs. Can farmers and beedi workers pay a fee if they want to struggle against injustice?
-Muneer Katipalla, DYFI president
The state government has instructed to collect the fixed amount of fee to permit protests at the end of the last year. Now we are implementing it. No clear indications has come regarding mass protests and padayatras. Whatever instruction comes from the governemnt, It will be followed.
-TR. Suresh, Commissioner, Mangalore City Police
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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.
