National
BJP-led MCDs indulged in massive corruption through sealing drive: AAP
New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday alleged that the BJP-led municipal corporations of Delhi have indulged in massive corruption in the name of conversion charges and parking fees in the market areas.
AAP Delhi Convener Dilip Pandey told reporters here: “The MCDs have indulged in ‘ghotala’ (corruption) of thousands of crores in the name of conversion charges. They have been deceiving the businessmen of Delhi. Revelations made by the RTI filed by our MLA Jarnail Singh are shocking. SDMC has indulged in corruption of a thousand crore rupees. It obtained Rs 966 crore as conversion charges and Rs 61 crore as parking fees.
“This amount should have been used for the development and beautification of the area but the huge amount of public money is being used in the general accounts by the BJP-run MCDs,” Pandey said.
He accused the MCDs of corruption in executing the sealing drive under which businesses in residential spaces used for commercial use without paying the ‘use conversion charge’ are being shut.
“They have deceived the city’s businessmen,” he said.
The ongoing sealing drive by civic bodies and collection of conversion charges has been referred to an existing nine-member committee by State Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.
The committee, headed by AAP legislator Bhavna Gaur, has been asked to submit a report in the next House session.
The sealing drive is being carried out by a Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee against business establishments using residential properties for commercial purposes, and it is being implemented by the three BJP-led municipal corporations of Delhi (MCDs).
The Monitoring Committee was set up in 2006 for sealing the premises of erring businessmen. But in 2012, the apex court asked the committee to stop the drive.
In December 2017, the Supreme Court ordered resumption of the sealing drive and revived the Monitoring Committee.
The AAP had opposed the committee’s revival in the Supreme Court.
–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.