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Fresh mining leases can be issued in six months: Parrikar

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Panaji, Feb 8 (IANS) Fresh mining leases could be issued tentatively within six months, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday, a day after the Supreme Court cancelled all 88 mining leases in the state citing irregularities in the lease renewal process.

He, however, refused to confirm whether the state government would follow the auction route to lease out the state’s mining tracts.

Parrikar also said as per the court order, while mining in iron ore has been banned from March 15, there was nothing to stop mining companies from exporting already mined ore, which is stacked on transportation jetties and other plots outside the lease areas.

“Six months should be the target — from March… That is tentative, subject to no hurdles and problems in between.

“I have told you that state is examining all options,” Parrikar, whose resignation is being demanded by the Opposition for mismanagement and alleged corruption in renewal of leases to tainted mining companies, told journalists at the State Secretariat.

“They have been permitted to extract up to March 15. So obviously that ore will belong to them, subject to condition that they pay all the royalty and state mineral fund. They can export without extracting also.

“That means if there is material available with them on March 15 on the jetties or some other plots… that can be exported. There is no ban on export. There is no mining ban, no export ban.

“Mining has to be conducted by giving the lease through a process,” Parrikar said, adding that only the automatic renewal of mining leases has been set aside by the apex court.

He also said that the state would not face a financial setback due to the order.

“The damage is temporary. There is not much of a loss to government… But as far as financial impact to the state goes — Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore — we can bear it.

“Next year my income from mining will be Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore. There are various methods. There is material still available in balance from e-auctions. I can auction that,” Parrikar said.

Asked whether the mining leases would be auctioned, he said: “Consequent to the order, the state will explore all possibilities including auction, to maximise the revenue of the state.

“I am not ruling out auction, but I am also not confirming it. There are multiple options which I do not want to discuss at this stage.”

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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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