Plea to withdraw Mangalore electricity supply co's proposal to hike power tariff hike
Mangaluru: The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has requested Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to withdraw the proposed hike in electricity tariff by Mangalore electricity supply company (MESCOM).
In a letter to the Chief Minister, KCCI president Isaac Vas said Mescom's decision to increase power tariff by Re 1 per unit was 'shocking.'
The move will badly affect the consumers of DK, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts, he added.
The increase will be a blow to the MSME sector, the second-largest employment generator after agriculture, and acts as a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and innovators with considerable support in strengthening business ecosystems, Vas said.
In Dakshina Kannada alone, over one lakh people are employed in this sector while the large industries employ less than 10,000 people.
The countrywide lockdown dragged MSME owners, employees, and other stakeholders to unexpected repulsions.
After the lockdown period, MSMEs face challenges relating to debt repayments, wages and salaries, and statutory dues.
The MSME sector will completely collapse if the tariff hike is implemented, he said.
The KCCI requested that Mescom reduce its distribution losses and overheads instead of putting an additional burden on the consumers.
MSMEs are struggling to revive operations after the pandemic and the severe slowdown in the economy, Vas said in the letter.
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Tension in Koppal village over Ambedkar flag during fair; five arrested
Koppal: Tension prevailed in Halwarti village of Koppal taluk after a clash reportedly broke out between members of Dalit and upper-caste communities over the hoisting of an Ambedkar flag during the Beeralingeshwara fair.
According to police, a verbal argument between youths from the two communities escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to unrest in the village.
In a related development, it has been alleged that members of the upper-caste community entered the house of a Dalit youth, identified as Gavisiddappa Hosamani, damaged the door and vandalised the front portion of the house.
As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
Police said a complaint has been registered at the Koppal Rural Police Station and five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
