Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge’s security tightened after threat calls over RSS remarks
Bengaluru: Following his demand to ban RSS activities in government schools and colleges, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge has reportedly been receiving continuous threat calls, prompting the state government to enhance his police security.
Since Wednesday morning, additional police personnel have been deployed at both his private residence and official quarters. Nearly 50 police officers have been stationed outside his government residence on Golf Club Road, and those visiting the minister are being thoroughly checked, a senior police officer confirmed.
Reacting to the development, B.R. Patil, Vice-Chairman of the State Policy and Planning Commission, condemned the threats, calling them an act of cowardice.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, he said, “RSS supporters are trying to silence Priyank Kharge through threats, but this is nothing short of a threat to democracy itself. We will not be intimidated by such cowards.”
He added, “Let ideological debates take place in public. We are ready to face them intellectually, not violently. RSS claims to defend religion by wielding sticks, but what does a stick have to do with religion? True faith must come from the heart, not from aggression.”
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also commented on the issue, stating, “The stronger we become, the more enemies we attract. Those with lesser strength have fewer enemies, and those with none have no opponents at all.”
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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.
