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Outstanding credit in Bengal grows over three times: Minister
Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) Outstanding credit in seven years in West Bengal has grown by more than three times to over Rs 4.18 lakh crore, Finance Minister Amit Mitra said on Tuesday.
“The outstanding credit, as on March 31, 2010, was around Rs 1.63 lakh crore in Bengal. The same has grown by more than three times to more than Rs 4.18 lakh crore by March 31, 2017,” he said.
Describing the banks’ credit flow as an indicator to industrial growth, he said the commercial banks’ total lendings to state industries was around Rs 1.82 lakh crore during 2011-12 to 2016-17 fiscals.
“Of this, about Rs 94,153 crore was lent to micro and small units while medium industries got Rs 36,672 crore from banks during these years. Around Rs 51,200 crore was lent to large industries by the banks. It gives the impression that small, medium and large industries are working in tandem in the state,” said Mitra, who also looks after the Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Department.
The Minister was addressing a programme organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Credai Bengal, Howrah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mitra said the bank lending to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grew by more than double after the Mamata Banerjee government came to power in 2011.
He said the state would voice the interests of MSMEs in GST council meetings.
Criticising the Centre’s demonetisation move in November last, Mitra said: “It is obvious that many people lost their jobs due to demonetisation. The economic growth rate fell and potentially about Rs 4.5-5 lakh crore in Gross Domestic Product disappeared due to note ban which was executed without consulting anybody.”
Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, who was present at the event, urged industrialists to invest in West Bengal.
Criticising the timing of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, he said: “We did not oppose the GST. We oppose the way it was implemented forcibly. As a result of demonetisation and GST, the common people have suffered a lot.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.