'Gruha Jyoti' free electricity scheme can be availed by tenants as well: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said tenants are also eligible to avail the Gruha Jyoti' scheme, under which 200 units of free power will be provided to all domestic consumers in the state from July 1.
The clarification comes a day after the Congress government had issued guidelines to avail the free electricity under the scheme.
"We will provide free power (up to 200 units) to those living in rented accommodation as well. Poor people who consume less than 200 units of power will not have to pay the bills. This (scheme) will be applicable to the tenants," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
He also clarified that this scheme was not applicable for commercial usage.
The 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme was one of the 5 guarantees promised by the Congress ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.
Reacting to BJP's protest against the power tariff hike as well as the state government's decision to revisit the anti-cow slaughter law enacted by the then Yediyurappa government, Siddaramaiah sought to know what moral right the saffron party has to protest.
The Chief Minister accused the BJP of 'plundering' the state when in power and bringing a bad name to the state.
"The BJP leaders are protesting because they have nothing else to do. What moral rights do they have?" he asked.
According to Siddaramaiah, the BJP did not fulfill any of its election promises such as 10 hours free power, waiving farm loans and spending Rs 1.5 lakh crore on irrigation.
Charging the BJP with finding fault with the pro-people measures, the CM said, "These people (BJP) are anti-people party. They looted and indulged in bribery when they were in power, brought a bad name to the state and then left. What to say when they come to preach us?"
Meanwhile, the BJP's protest against the hike in power tariff by Rs 2.89 per unit and state Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh's remark over the anti-cow slaughter law, entered the second day.
Protests took place in different parts of the state including Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Davangere.
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End of an era: Cricket fraternity hails Virat Kohli
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New Delhi: The cricketing fraternity on Monday paid glowing tributes to India's batting talisman Virat Kohli on his retirement from the longest format after an illustrious 14-year-career.
The 36-year-old Kohli quit Test cricket after scoring 9230 runs from 123 matches with 30 hundreds at an average of 46.85. He will only play in ODIs now, having already retired from T20 Internationals last year.
"An era ends in Test cricket but the legacy will continue FOREVER!@imVkohli, the former Team India Captain retires from Test cricket," the BCCI said in a post on 'X'.
"His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!"
The ICC hailed Kohli as one of India's Test greats.
"One of India's Test greats calls time in the longest format. Whites off, crown intact. Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy," the ICC said.
Kohli's IPL team said it will miss their star player and former captain from the Test arena.
"The walk, Those shots, Those expressions, Those celebrations. We’ll miss them all. We’ll miss them all.
"The curtain falls on a monumental Test Era. But his legacy lives on, etched in time and carved in pride. Thank you, Virat Kohli, for the fire, the bravery, and the unmatched passion. You didn’t just play this format, you elevated it."
His former team-mate Ajinkya Rahane wrote, "It's been a special journey sharing the field with you, @virat.kohli. So many great memories and partnerships together. Congratulations on an amazing Test career!"
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan described Kohli as "a true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket".
"Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli. As captain, you didn’t just win matches—you changed mindsets. You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard."
IPL franchise Delhi Capitals said "We weren’t ready for this."
