CM Siddaramaiah raising hand left me shocked, family disturbed: ASP Baramani stands by VRS request
Bengaluru: Additional Superintendent of Police Narayan Baramani has reportedly clarified that his request for voluntary retirement from service (VRS) still stands and is currently under review by the Home Department, following a controversial incident involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a Congress protest rally in Belagavi.
“I have not withdrawn my request. If the government approves it, I will proceed with voluntary retirement. If it is rejected, I will decide on my future course of action,” Deccan Herald quoted Baramani as saying.
Baramani had submitted his VRS request about a month ago, citing humiliation and mental distress following a public confrontation with the Chief Minister on April 28, when he was on duty in Belagavi after being deputed from Dharwad.
In a detailed three-page letter addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs (Police Services), Baramani recounted that during the rally, a group of women had shown black flags and raised slogans while CM Siddaramaiah was speaking. The Chief Minister reportedly stopped mid-speech, pointed at Baramani and shouted, “Hey! Who’s the SP here? Come here!” When Baramani went up the stage, Siddaramaiah allegedly raised his hand in a sudden gesture but withdrew it immediately.
“My entire family has been mentally disturbed ever since. Despite this, neither the chief minister nor any other government official on his behalf, nor even senior officials from our own department, made any effort to console or address the issue. Even my colleagues did not condemn the insult I faced,” he said.
“I have been publicly humiliated and blamed for something I did not do. Left with no other option, I am submitting this request for voluntary retirement. I humbly request that it be accepted,” the letter, cited by DH, reads.
Following his VRS submission, both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G. Parameshwara summoned Baramani to Bengaluru, urging him to reconsider his decision and requesting him not to proceed with the VRS.
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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.
