Women villagers on outskirts of Bengaluru seek police intervention over rampant sale of liquor
Bengaluru: Women residents of Rajaghatta village, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru, have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of liquor in their locality, claiming it is wreaking havoc on families by pushing men into alcoholism and unemployment. The villagers, particularly women, have approached the police for immediate intervention.
The issue came to light during a Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) grievance meeting conducted by the Bengaluru district police along with the ‘Mane Manege Police’ (door-to-door police service) on Sunday, as reported by The Hindu.
Lakshmamma, a resident speaking on behalf of the women in the village, highlighted to Superintendent of Police C.K. Baba that liquor shops in the area operate from as early as 6:00 a.m. and remain open until midnight or even later.
“This is posing a threat to the families, as the men get drunk early in the morning and do not go to work. Most of the families face a difficult situation due to the alcohol menace and it is pushing them into penury. Even grocery and vegetable shops have started stocking up liquor, making them accessible round the clock,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.
In response, SP Baba directed excise department officials to ensure liquor vendors strictly follow the timings prescribed in their licenses. He also instructed the jurisdictional police and excise department to conduct routine inspections to curb the illegal sale of alcohol in the region.
During the same meeting, a few students expressed distress over caste-based humiliation in schools. “We were mocked and called casteist names. The teachers and village elders are not doing anything despite being aware of this situation,” one student shared with the senior police officials.
Taking a serious view of the complaint, Baba instructed the Panchayat Development Officer and education department officials present to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such discriminatory practices, added the report.
Police officials also visited Dalit colonies, where they pasted posters displaying the names and contact numbers of police officers to be contacted for any help, aiming to reassure residents of their support.
Villagers were encouraged to work alongside law enforcement in maintaining peace and combating crime in the area.
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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.
