Karnataka power tariff to rise by 36 paise per unit from April 1
Bengaluru, Mar 20 (PTI): Electricity consumers in Karnataka will have to pay an additional 36 paise per unit starting from April 1 as a surcharge, following a recent directive.
The move comes after the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) allowed energy supply companies (ESCOMs) to recover the government's share of pension and gratuity (P&G) contributions from consumers.
The P and G contributions will be revised for financial years 2026-27 and 2027-28, with consumers paying 35 paise and 34 paise per unit, respectively.
"In accordance with the Government of Karnataka's order, the Commission allows ESCOMs to recover the government’s portion of pension and gratuity contributions uniformly from their consumers as 'P&G Surcharge (Government Portion),' stated the KERC order dated March 18.
"The aforesaid levy shall come into effect from April 1, 2025, and remain in force for the entire duration of the control period, commencing from FY 2025-26 and concluding in FY 2027-28, or as decided by the government from time to time," it added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra criticised the move, stating that since the "anti-people" Congress government came to power in Karnataka, the only guarantee it has implemented is "price hikes".
"People of the state must be cautious about the 36 paise increase in power tariffs, as the current government is a pickpocket government. On one hand, they claim to be implementing guarantee (populist) schemes, while on the other, they are burdening the people with price hikes and taking back the money," he alleged.
Energy Minister K J George clarified that the pension and gratuity issues of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) and ESCOM staff have been undertaken in accordance with a Karnataka High Court order issued in March 2024, and following this, the KERC has implemented a tariff hike.
"Our government has not increased the electricity rates by 36 paise per unit. The hike follows the Karnataka High Court's order, allowing the KPTCL and ESCOM staff to recover customer pension and gratuity payments. Based on this, the KERC has issued the directive. As a result, for the financial year 2025-26, the rate has been raised by 36 paise per unit," George's office said in a statement quoting him.
Noting that after the dissolution of the Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) and the formation of KPCL and five ESCOMs, the then BJP government, for the first time in March 2022 submitted a proposal to the KERC, requesting approval to recover pension and gratuity contributions from customers, he said, "However, KERC did not approve the proposal at that time. Following the High Court's order, KERC has (now) issued a new directive."
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
