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Spanish PM dismisses Catalan government

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Madrid, Oct 28 (IANS) Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday announced the immediate sacking of Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his government and called new elections in the region on December 21.

This followed the decision taken by the Catalan parliament earlier in the day to unilaterally declare independence of the region in the northeast of Spain, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rajoy announced the measures after a special cabinet meeting called at his residence in the Palacio de la Moncloa to decide how to apply Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution.

Reading a statement in an appearance which did not allow questions from the press, Rajoy said: “Spanish people were living a sad day when the lack of reason had gone over the head of the law,” and that his government had begun “to adopt the measures against an inadmissible kidnapping of the rights of the majority of Catalan.”

He asked for “prudence and serenity and also confidence,” in the state, saying the actions were, “not a question of suspending (Catalan) self-government, but a question of returning it to normality as soon as possible.”

“Catalonia needs to reconcile itself with the truth, the law and itself and that is why I have decided to call elections. We have to avoid more damage and return normality to the life of the citizens,” said Rajoy.

Apart from sacking Puigdemont and his government, Rajoy also announced the dismissal of the chief of the Mossos’d ‘Esquadra (Catalan police), the closure of Catalan embassies abroad, as well as Catalan government delegations in Madrid and Brussels.

The application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which suspends the autonomy of the Catalan region and hands control of key Catalan institutions to Madrid, was approved by the Spanish Senate on Friday afternoon.

Rajoy had earlier spoken from the corridors of the Senate to describe the independence declaration as a “crime.”

“What has happened in the Catalan parliament shows how necessary it was to approve this article,” said Rajoy.

The measures have the support of Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, who commented: “Socialists have always supported the common good in the face of independent movements. There is no left wing flag in the secessionist cause.”

In other developments, the Spanish Constitutional Court has accepted an appeal presented by the Catalan branch of the Socialist Party (PSC) against the validity Friday’s session in the Catalan Parliament.

Central government sources also confirm that the Spanish government will appeal to the Constitutional Court against the Catalan declaration of independence.

The Spanish State Prosecutor will on Monday look to present accusations of “rebellion” against Puigdemont and other members of his government, charges which could mean a term of between 15 and 30 years in jail.

–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

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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.

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