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May consider fixing time for Delhi LG to clear files, indicates SC

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7 years ago

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New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it may fix a time frame within which the Delhi Lt. Governor should dispose of the files sent to him by the state government and in case of delay in clearing files, he will have to assign reasons.

The five judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.K. Sikri, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan said this while in its preliminary observation said that the entire scheme of the democratic governance of Delhi was tilted in favour of Lt. Governor.

The daylong hearing saw judges questioning senior counsel Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the city’s state ruling Aam Aadmi Party, who argued that the Lt. Governor was exercising his powers in a manner to stultify the functioning of a democratically-elected government.

What emerged during the daylong hearing was that Delhi government can’t look at in the area of law and order, police and land, and the in the area where it can enact law and aid and advise the Lt. Governor, the latter can exercise his veto and citing differences, refer the matter to the President for decision. There were also some grey areas where the Delhi government had no footprints.

Not agreeing to the argument that Council of Ministers can aid and advise the Lt. Governor on every issue, Chief Justice Misra said that it can only do do on which legislature (Delhi assembly) can enact laws.

Justice Chandrachud said that the President exercises his administrative control over Union Territory through Lt Governor, and if there are specific instances of excesses, then the court can address them.

Justice Bhushan too asked Subramanium to be specific and cite instances of Lt. Governor standing in the way of Delhi government.

Subramanium cited the instances of Lt. Governor holding meeting with the officials without the presence of Ministers concerned and issuing instructions. He also said that the Lt. Governor is sitting over the files sent by the Council of Ministers and in some cases, for over a year, citing the instance the matter where the Delhi government had decided to increase minimum wages from Rs 9,000 to Rs 15,000.

As Subramanium sought to blame Lt. Governor for creating hurdles in the functioning of Delhi government, Justice Chandrachud said that every government has to function within the parameters of the constitution and the Article 239AA defines the powers of Delhi government and Union Territory.

He also said that there are areas where Lt. Governor enjoys delegated powers and he alone is administrator in respect of them. In other areas he would act on the aid and advise of the Council of Minister but in the event of difference he would refer the matter to President.

The bench also pointed to the financial relationship between the Central government and the Union Territory of Delhi that was distinct from the relationship that it has with other states, saying that Centre has more involvement in the financial affairs of Delhi.

Sensing where the bench was driving at, Subramanium said that the Delhi government too was raising its resources.

The constitution bench is hearing Delhi government’s appeal challenging the Delhi High Court verdict holding that the Lt. Governor had the primacy over the elected government in administration of the national capital.

The matter was referred to the constitution bench by the bench of Justice Sikri and Justice R.K.Agrawal on February 15.

While not framing the questions to be adjudicated by the Constitution Bench, the court had then asked both the Union government and the Arvind Kejriwal government to argue their respective cases before the larger bench.

The hearing by the two judge bench on Delhi government’s appeals had seen the court favouring a balance in the exercise of powers by the Delhi government and the Lt. Governor for good governance.

Delhi was given an assembly and an elected government through Article 239 (AA) incorporated in the Constitution by the 69th amendment in 1991.

Hearing will continue on November 7.

–IANS
pk/vd

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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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2 months ago

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September 19, 2024

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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.

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