Five minor girls rescued from child marriage in Koppal district
Koppal: Acting on a tip-off received through the Childline 1098 helpline, officials rescued five minor girls who were being prepared for child marriage in different parts of the district.
According to the information received, marriage arrangements were underway for two girls in Bevuru police station limits of Yelburga taluk, one girl in Yelburga police station limits, and two girls in Karatagi police station limits.
Based on the alert, a joint team comprising officials from the District Child Protection Unit, Childline staff, Akka Pada members, 112 police personnel, supervisors, gram panchayat development officers, school headmasters and municipal staff conducted a coordinated operation and rescued all five minors. They were later produced before the Child Welfare Committee.
The rescue operation involved Basavaraj Guled, Amaramma Hiremath, Basamma S., supervisor Sridevi, Savita, Akka Pada’s Savitri, P.C. Yallamma, Bhagya and driver Sharanappa.
Officials said strict measures are being taken in the district to prevent child marriage and abuse. With the wedding season underway, there is a likelihood of such cases increasing.
District Child Protection Officer Sindhu Angadi said authorities have been instructed to mandatorily verify the age of both bride and groom before allowing any marriage. She said the bride must be at least 18 years old and the groom 21, and legal action will be taken against organisers and participants if the rules are violated.
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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.
