K'taka Minister denies paying compensation to Kerala farmer’s family after opposition allegations
BANGALURU: Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre recently addressed the Legislative Council, clarifying that the state has not disbursed any ex-gratia payment to the family of a Wayanad farmer who was reportedly trampled by an elephant, according to a report published in The Hindu.
His statement came in response to accusations from Opposition members alleging discrimination in compensation awarded for man-animal conflict cases. The controversy arose following criticism of Karnataka’s decision to provide compensation to the Wayanad farmer’s family, a matter highlighted after intervention by Rahul Gandhi, former Lok Sabha member from Wayanad.
During a debate concerning the deaths of two elephants in South Canara, Minister Khandre remarked, “I am aware that you have been trolling us on social media platforms. We have not paid a single paisa to the Kerala family.”
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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.
