Sand problem : Udupi District In-charge Minister upset against DC for no action
Udupi, September 16: “Though the Chief Minister and myself have directed the deputy commissioner to take action to solve sand problem in the district, no action was taken. I would ask the officer once again. Not only the opposition parties, but the time has come for everyone to stage protest”, said District In-charge Minister Jayamala.
After holding a discussion with Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Poojary and MLA Raghupathi Bhat on sand issue at the Circuit House here on Sunday, the Minister said that sand problem was a common issue and irrespective of any party or cadre, everyone should think about it. Not only the opposition parties, but the ruling parties should also take the side of the people. So, the district administration should immediately allow the sand mining in the district, she said.
Even she has been asking the Deputy Commissioner about the delay in beginning the sand mining in the district. Both the opposition party and ruling party have asked the authorities to take steps. But nothing was done. She does not know as to why the district administration has been dilly-dallying in the issue, she added.
When asked about the survey being conducted by Kundapura AC, the Minister said that that survey was not proper as there was no norm. The district administration has created a new norm. By the time they complete the survey, another rainy season would come. So, the district administration should not play with the emotions of the people and issue order to start sand mining immediately, she demanded.
About the supply of sand from neighbouring districts, she said that the district authorities have to calculate the availability of sand and the demand in the district and how much sand could be extracted from the quarries. If the district got the sufficient sand here, there was no need to get the sand from other districts. If there was scarcity, then the sand could be brought from neighbouring districts, she said.
MLA warns overnight protest
The district administration should write to NITK to conduct survey on September 17 to identify the sand blocks. In turn, the NITK should conduct the survey by September 19. Otherwise, all MLAs, irrespective of political parties, would stage overnight protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office from September 20, MLA Raghupathi Bhat warned.
The Chief Minister, during his recent visit to the district, has directed the deputy commissioner to write to the NITK to conduct survey. But the deputy commissioner has not taken any action even after 10 days. Meanwhile, the DC has directed Kundapur AC to conduct the survey. This was a systematic conspiracy to avoid the sand mining in the district, he alleged.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP district president Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde and others were present.
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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.
