The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed a fine of several crores of rupees on the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) over prolonged load shedding and inefficiency.

According to Nepra’s decision, HESCO will be required to deposit a penalty of Rs100,000 per day, effective from April 4, 2024. The regulator stated that the fine was imposed on the basis of losses and unjustified power outages.

The action followed a show cause notice issued to HESCO, in which the company was found guilty of violating distribution standards by carrying out load shedding beyond permissible limits.

Nepra noted that similar action had been taken last week against Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), which was also fined Rs100,000 per day from April 4, 2024, for the same reasons.

Officials said the regulator is determined to hold distribution companies accountable for poor service delivery and unannounced power cuts affecting millions of consumers.

ITR Filing Deadline 2025 Extension Live Updates: Today is the ITR filing last date for the assessment year 2025-26. Tax professionals and bodies are urging the income tax department to extend the deadline. However, the income tax department has clarified that the current September 15 deadline remains intact and warned taxpayers against a fake message that is spreading widely on social media and messaging app about the deadline extension.

So far, a total of 6.7 crore ITRs have been filed, as of 12:00 pm today, according to the income tax portal. Out of this, 6.03 crore ITRs have been verified by the taxpayers, and over 4 crore returns have been processed by the income tax department.

Last year, by July 31, 2024, 7.6 crore ITRs had been submitted.

Who Must File ITR Today?

The September 15 deadline is for non-audit taxpayers, including most salaried individuals, pensioners, NRIs, and those whose accounts do not require audit. For audit ITRs, the deadline remains October 31.

Usually, the ITR filing deadline every year is July 31. However, this year, the last date for filing non-audit returns was pushed to September 15 from the usual July 31 deadline, owing to delays in the release of updated ITR forms. The extension came after several tweaks were required following the interim Budget’s changes to the capital gains tax framework.

What Happens If You Miss Today’s Deadline?

Taxpayers filing after September 15 face a penalty of Rs 5,000 under Section 234F, though the fine is capped at Rs 1,000 for those with income below Rs 5 lakh. Late filers also lose the ability to carry forward certain losses, risk refund delays and may attract closer scrutiny from the tax department.

With the clock ticking, the department is urging taxpayers to file early to avoid last-minute issues. Whether the deadline is extended once again remains to be seen.

The future of bus firm Alexander Dennis has been “secured” by a £4 million furlough scheme, John Swinney has said.

The First Minister announced the move on Monday in hopes of avoiding the firm pulling out of Scotland and consolidating its operations at a single site in Yorkshire and saving 400 jobs.

The furlough scheme – the first of its kind to receive Scottish Government backing – will kick in when the firm signs a new order and will act as a “bridge to future”, supporting staff between the signing of a deal and the beginning of work.

Under the agreement, 80% of wages will be covered by the Scottish Government, while the company will pay the remainder, with the scheme funded for up to six months.

Speaking to the PA news agency at the Alexander Dennis site in Falkirk, the First Minister said: “I want to do everything I can in whatever circumstance to protect employment within Scotland, and especially manufacturing employment, because that generates significant wealth in the Scottish economy.

“I gave the company a commitment back in May that we would leave no stone unturned in finding a way through this with the company if they remain committed to manufacturing here in central Scotland.

“The company has demonstrated that commitment.”

He added: “I’m very confident that Alexander Dennis has got a positive outlook on orders and on business, that’s a change in situation from earlier on in the year, and what the Scottish Government is providing is essentially a bridge to the future to allow the company to realise and deliver on those orders.”

The furlough scheme could be cut short if work begins earlier than the 26-week limit, the First Minister added.

Alexander Dennis president and managing director Paul Davies told a Holyrood committee earlier this year the firm would need to secure between 70 and 100 bus orders by the end of the year as well as between 300 and 400 next year to be viable.

Responding to the news, Mr Davies said the company was “deeply grateful”.

“This announcement marks a turning point. The Scottish Government’s support allows us to propose a new outcome to our statutory consultation,” he said.

“This has been made possible by collaboration, determination and a shared belief in the value and future of domestic manufacturing.”

While new Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UK Government had been “leading intensive work” to save the jobs on the site.

“I warmly welcome Alexander Dennis’s decision which will see the company’s Falkirk and Larbert sites remain open and operational. This will be relief to the talented workforce,” he said.

“The UK Government has been leading intensive work with partners, including the Scottish Government, and actively encouraged the furlough scheme that has been announced today.

“Future orders are key to the long-term success of companies like Alexander Dennis.

“Alongside Mayors who have delivered thousands of orders, we will continue to do all we can to support our domestic bus manufacturers.”

The Scottish Tories welcomed the announcement, but MSP Stephen Kerr urged the Government to ensure the move “protects jobs in the long-term”.

Meanwhile, the trade union Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The immediate priority is now to secure new orders for Alexander Dennis which will protect hundreds of highly skilled jobs for years to come.”