Karnataka reissues 2013 order restricting govt school use, seen as curb on RSS activities
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Bengaluru: The Congress-led Karnataka government has reissued an old circular originally dated February 7, 2013, which prohibits the use of government school premises for private or non-academic purposes. The move, seen as a precursor to curbing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in schools, follows a recent request from Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge seeking a ban on RSS events in public educational institutions.
The circular, issued by the Commissioner of the Karnataka Public Instruction Department and signed by then Commissioner S.R. Umashankar, states that school grounds and premises should only be used by students for daily academic and physical education activities. It further directs that no permissions should be granted or proposals forwarded for activities unrelated to educational purposes.
Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the decision to reissue the circular was due to Priyank Kharge’s letter urging action against RSS programs in public spaces, including schools and colleges. The reissued order, they said, would provide the legal basis to implement such restrictions statewide.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to examine the demand for banning RSS activities in public institutions and to study similar measures taken in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that while the issue was not part of the scheduled cabinet meeting agenda, it could be taken up as an additional item. “There is already a rule against allowing private or religious activities in government spaces. This is not new, but it has not been strictly enforced. We will see what decision is taken if the matter comes up in the cabinet,” he said.
Officials indicated that the cabinet may discuss the matter later in the day to decide on the next steps for implementing the restriction across the state.
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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.
