National
SC seeks views on provision for government residence for ex-CMs
New Delhi, Jan 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre and the states to respond to a plea that challenged an Uttar Pradesh law wherein former Chief Ministers are allotted a government bungalow.
Expanding the scope of the plea, a bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice R. Bhanumathi asked the Centre and the states to address the court on the issue whether they too have similar laws or executive orders that permit allotment of government accommodation to former Chief Ministers.
The court’s latest order is being interpreted as holding the potential of bringing under the apex court gaze the allotment of government accommodation to former Prime Ministers and former Presidents.
Projecting a question of law involved, amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium in his note said whether the right to equality before law guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution permits persons to retain government accommodation once they have demitted public office.
Once the President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and others cease to hold their respective public offices, they are shorn of all its adornments. He or she reverts to being an ordinary citizen and ought not to be granted greater privilege than those available to other citizens, except for minimal courtesies of protocol, pension, and other regular post-retirement benefits.
The court was told that if it were to decided against the Uttar Pradesh law, it would have ramification in states having similar provisions.
Referring to Subramanium’s views, the court sought to know the stand of the Attorney General and the Solicitor General as well as the Advocate Generals of the states on the issue if they wished to do so.
“We have had the benefit of the views of amicus curiae as to whether, in view of the issues involved and in the event the said issues are to be answered in favour of the petitioner, it would be necessary to hear the Law Officer(s) of the Union Government and the States who may have a similar legislation or executive instructions in force.”
The bench asked Subramanium to provide a copy of its order to the office(s) of the Attorney General/Solicitor General and Advocate Generals of the states concerned which may have similar legislations/executive instructions in force.
Noting that the communication of its order and response thereto would take some time, the court directed for next hearing on March 13.
The top court had, on November 15, 2016, issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea by NGO Lok Prahari challenging a state law that permits allotment of bungalow to former Chief Ministers on their request.
–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.