BJP restless with Congress guarantees: CM Siddaramaiah
Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused the BJP of being restless over the Congress government's 'five guarantee schemes' and of trying to mislead people with false charges.
He was replying to the allegations raised by some BJP leaders that the state government might be using the National Disaster Response Funds (NDRF) due to which the flood relief works were affected and compensation have not been paid to the flood hit people.
"We never used NDRF on our guarantees. For the BJP, the five guarantees have become like jaundice. They are restless because of our guarantees. They are even copying our scheme in Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Belagavi.
Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "He had said that guarantees cannot be implemented. Didn't we do it? We will fulfill what we have promised."
The chief minister also took on the BJP over its claims of a leadership tussle in Congress.
"Why is BJP so worried about our party? Why should they break their heads on the internal matters of our party? Who are they? Are they our high command? I do not want to reply to BJP's queries," he remarked.
Earlier, he noted that a super speciality hospital was being inaugurated in Belagavi and criticised the opposition, saying, "The BJP leaders didn't do anything though they were in power for four years."
The discussions on leadership change in Karnataka resurfaced after two ruling Congress leaders including Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar should become the next chief minister of the state.
According to former Mandya MP L R Shivarame Gowda, the change of guard may happen in November.
The Disciplinary Committee of Congress state unit served them show-cause notices stating that their statement caused embarrassment to the party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
