National
CBI probing 84 post demonetisation currency exchange cases
New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) The CBI announced on Wednesday – the first anniversary of demonetisation – that it had lodged 84 cases relating to exchange of old high-valued currency in various departments like banks, post offices, railways and insurance companies amounting a total of Rs 395.19 crore.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered 77 FIRs and arrested 47 persons, including 21 government servants, during its investigation of these corruption cases while probing seven cases by filing preliminary enquiry, said CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal.
“We acted on more than 500 references received from general public and other agencies. We conducted joint surprise checks on banks and others. During investigation, 47 persons were held out of 307 accused (including public servants) found to be involved in these cases,” he said.
Dayal said it found the involvement of 183 public servants and 124 private persons during the investigation of these cases so far. “Involvement of more public servants is expected.”
He said chargesheets have been filed in 12 cases and regular departmental action has also been recommended in a few cases. “The amount involved in these cases is around Rs 395.19 crore. Demonetised and new currency worth crores and large number of incriminating documents have also been recovered.”
Dayal said the fraudulent exchange of old currency notes took place mainly at commercial and cooperative banks against which the CBI has registered 59 cases. The CBI registered 18 cases linked with post offices, five with Railways, and one with the insurance department.
The benefit of the demonetisation was that “corrupt practices were checked”, he said, adding that the agency is giving top priority to such cases aimed at completing the investigation in a particular time frame.
“CBI Director (Alok Verma) has given top priority to the investigation of the demonetisation cases. He has directed the teams investigating the cases to complete the investigation in a fixed time frame and ensure those found guilty brought to book. Demonetisation has significantly added the CBI it its anti-corruption by taking action against public servants and individuals hoarding cash.”
Several agencies like Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate and the CBI have seized demonetised currency with face value in crores in the last one year and arrested several persons attempting to exchange their ill-gotten money or those helping them for the purpose after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016 declared Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes as “invalid tender”.
After one year of the demonetisation, the government is celebrating it as “anti-black money day” while opposition performing protest against the move calling it as “black day”.
–IANS
rak/vd
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.