HC bars Govt from appointing administrators to four Municipal Councils until members’ term ends
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim directive restraining the state government from appointing administrators to the Mandya, Hosakote, Chitradurga, and Gauribidanur City Municipal Councils until the term of their elected members comes to an end.
Justice R. Nataraj, who heard the petitions filed by elected members of the four municipal councils, passed the interim order on Thursday.
After a brief hearing, the court observed that since the tenure of the elected representatives in these local bodies is still in effect, the government cannot appoint administrators to take over their functions. The bench also issued notices to the state government, State Election Commission, and respective Deputy Commissioners seeking their response.
These four newly filed petitions were heard along with earlier petitions relating to Challakere, Mulbagal, Chikkaballapur, Holenarasipura, and Malavalli municipalities, in which similar interim orders had already been granted.
The court further directed the government’s counsel to file objections in all related matters and adjourned the hearing to October 25.
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.
