National
Plan panel’s abolition: Tripura losing Rs 2,000cr annually, says CM
Agartala, Sep 12 (IANS) Following the abolition of the Planning Commission and the adoption of a new policy at the Centre, Tripura has been losing around Rs 2000 crore per year, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said.
“With the abolition of the Planning Commission, the central government led by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has stopped various central aid and changed the sharing pattern for the centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS), which caused Tripura a net loss of about Rs 2000 crore per year,” Sarkar said while addressing a meeting here on Monday night.
He said the Centre has stopped funding under normal central assistance, special plan assistance and special central assistance. Besides, the fund flow under some major schemes has been reduced by Rs 350 to Rs 400 crore.
“Infrastructure bottlenecks are the primary barriers in the development of the eight northeastern states. No additional funds have been provided in the central budget for the development of the infrastructure of the region,” he said.
He also urged the Centre to allot proper funding to take care of the requirement under state specific development needs and revenue deficit.
The Chief Minister said that after discontinuation of various central assistance for special category states, including the eight northeastern states, these states are facing severe financial crunch in implementing projects relating to health, education, rural roads, urban sector schemes.
He said Tripura had topped in the country in providing jobs to rural unemployed people, but the Centre has been reducing funds for the flagship rural jobs scheme — MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
“In the current financial year (2017-18), the central government has reduced its share of allocation of funds, due to which the state can provide work for maximum 42 days this year, though MGNREGA mandates 100 days of work in a financial year to at least one member of each rural household.
“Depriving the poor and backward people, the present BJP-led central government has been working to serve the interest of the corporate house,” said Sarkar, who is also the politburo member of Communist Party of India-Marxist.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for AYUSH Sripad Yesso Naik on Monday said that the BJP-led government at the Centre has increased fund flow to Tripura substantially in comparison to the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) regime.
“During the last three years, Tripura got Rs 7,000 crore more central funds compare to the corresponding period of the UPA tenure,” the central minister told the media here in Agartala.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all ministries of the union government to give priority to the northeastern states in allocation of funds.
“How can the Centre help the state if the state government does not utilise the central fund?” Naik asked.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.