Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, wife decline to take part in caste survey
Bengaluru (PTI): Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murty have declined to take part in the ongoing social and educational survey, nicknamed caste survey, in Karnataka saying they do not belong to any backward caste, sources in the BBMP said on Thursday.
When enumerators came for the survey a few days ago, Sudha Murty and Narayana Murthy reportedly told them, "We don't want the survey conducted at our home."
Sudha Murthy has signed a self-declaration letter for refusal to provide information in a pro forma issued by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission for the Social and Educational Survey 2025, sources said.
The pro forma reads, "Due to some of my personal reasons, I am refusing to provide information in the social and educational survey being conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission."
Besides what is written in the pro forma, Sudha Murty reportedly wrote in Kannada, "We do not belong to any backward community. Hence, we will not participate in a government-conducted survey meant for such groups."
Sudha Murty, her personal assistant and Infosys officials did not respond to the messages and phone calls, seeking a response on the issue.
The survey started on September 22 and was originally scheduled to conclude on October 7, but was later extended up to October 18. Since teachers are largely involved in the survey, the government has declared a holiday for schools till October 18.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the loss to studies will be compensated by holding extra classes.
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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.
