Karnataka government working to get UNESCO tag for Lakkundi: Minister HK Patil
Gadag: Tourism Minister H.K. Patil announced that the Karnataka government is making an effort to secure UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Lakkundi, a historic place in Gadag district, to further strengthen the state’s position as a leading heritage tourism destination.
Speaking at the State Tourism Ministers’ Conference in Udaipur, Patil said the state has also urged the Union Government to consider Gadag, Hampi, Mysuru, and Udupi as post-2025 global tourism destinations under the Centre’s mission to develop 50 internationally competitive tourist hubs.
Patil highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the state’s tourism infrastructure. “In the last two years, the government has undertaken comprehensive development of Saundatti Yellamma Hill, Anjanadri Hills and the Roerich Estates near Bengaluru. The government is working hard to complete these projects within the stipulated time limit,” The New Indian Express quoted Patil as saying.
Located just 40 minutes from Hubballi Airport, Lakkundi — situated 8 km from Gadag — is renowned as an open-air museum of Chalukyan sculpture. It is home to around 100 intricately carved temples, ancient stepwells, Jain basadis, and inscriptions that showcase the architectural brilliance of the ancient era.
Furthermore, he briefly mentioned that a dedicated coastal tourism policy is being drafted to centralise and develop the 343-km-long coastline, aiming to transform it into a high-end tourism destination.
Reiterating the state’s commitment, Patil said Karnataka, in coordination with the Centre and other states, will pour all its energy into making the state a global tourism powerhouse.
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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.
