Bommai questions CM Siddaramaiah’s response to Minister Patil’s letter on illegal mining
Gadag: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has raised concerns over the state government’s silence on Law Minister H.K. Patil’s letter, which expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of illegal mining cases.
Speaking to the media in Gadag, Bommai pointed out that 90% of the illegal mining cases registered remain unresolved, a serious issue raised by a sitting minister from the ruling government itself. “It is now up to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to respond. The people of Karnataka are watching,” he said.
He further noted that H.K. Patil has demanded a special court and a high-level probe into the mining cases. While several SITs and CBI investigations are already underway, Bommai questioned whether Patil would also support a probe into alleged lease renewals done during Siddaramaiah’s previous term in 2017–18, just before a central law mandated e-auctioning of mining leases.
Bommai also referred to corruption allegations against SIT officials and hinted that earlier mining lease renewals may have been selectively granted by the state government.
Responding to a question about Congress MLA B.R. Patil’s remarks on corruption in the allocation of government housing, Bommai remarked, “B.R. Patil often raises serious issues, but no one in the Congress respects his words. It is clear that those who speak against corruption have no dignity or space in the Congress 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.
