15% quota for minorities in housing schemes not new decision: Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan on Friday said that the decision to reserve 15 per cent in housing schemes for the minority community is not a new one, as it was recommended back in 2019 by a cabinet sub-committee formed during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government led by then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
He clarified that, as per the Sachar Committee report, the central government already provides 15 per cent reservation for minorities in housing schemes, and there was a demand to implement a similar model in the state as well. Hence the central model has been adopted.
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent, a move which the opposition BJP has slammed, calling it "unconstitutional" and "appeasement".
"The cabinet sub-committee that was constituted during the 2019 coalition government has made this recommendation. Now, the proposal has been brought before the cabinet and approved. The existing reservation of 10 per cent has now been increased to 15 per cent," Khan said in a statement.
He said a large number of poor families exist within the minority community and many are without proper housing, and therefore, there was a longstanding demand to increase the reservation percentage.
The minister also pointed out that the National Commission for Minorities in 2021 had recommended the implementation of a 15 per cent reservation.
"Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate," he added.
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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.
