Ganesha idols in Karnataka likely to see 20% hike in prices; Here's why
Bengaluru: A shortfall in the supply of high quality clay in the city is expected to cause a 15-20 per cent hike in the price of idols for this year’s Ganesha festival, proving a problem for devotees.
The artists have said that clay, which is used to prepare the idols, is supplied from lakes and riverbeds in and around Bengaluru and Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) districts has become highly expensive. They have also attributed this to the rivers and lakes filling up to at least 50 per cent of their capacity as a result of the heavy rainfall so far, Times of India has reported.
Explaining that they used to get quality clay during an ebb in the water levels of rivers and lakes, an idol maker from Tumakuru, Suresh, said that they are unable to do so this year as the water bodies still contain a considerable amount of water. He added that they are now getting clay supplies from other places like Hoskote, Bagaluru, Malur and Kannur.
Further, the idol makers have been looking for sources outside Karnataka to get the raw material. Shivanand, another idol maker, said that they are forced to do so since the local clay is of poor quality, which might also result in the idols developing cracks once the clay dries.
Shivanand said that they have ordered for clay from the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal., which is of high quality, and the artists are also assured that the quality of the idols is good.
Referring to the use of the clay from UP and West Bengal, he said that the idols are first made with local clay and paddy husk and then coated with the clay from the Gangetic plains.
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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.
