National
Was assessment done before proposing Master Plan amendments, asks SC (Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Delhi government and the DDA whether they had conducted any Environment Impact Assessment before proposing amendments to Master Plan 2021 to protect traders from a sealing drive in the capital.
A division bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta directed the Delhi government, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the civic authorities to file an affidavit also indicating whether measures regarding the safety of buildings were considered before proposing amendments.
The bench also asked the authorities to inform if issues like traffic congestion, parking and civic amenities were looked into.
It also sought statistics within a week from the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on pollution levels in Delhi from 2007 onwards.
During the hearing, the bench was told that a court-appointed monitoring committee was obstructed by the legislator and the councillor of Shahdara zone, from doing its duty during the sealing drive in the east Delhi area.
The court issued a showcause notice to Bharatiya Janata Party MLA O.P. Sharma and councillor Gunjan Gupta, asking both to appear before it to explain why contempt of court action be not initiated against them.
It also asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure protection to members of the monitoring committee carrying out sealing in Delhi.
The monitoring committee, set up on March 24, 2006 by the top court, has members like K.J. Rao, former advisor to the Election Commissioner, Bhure Lal, Chairman of the EPCA and Maj Gen. Som Jhingan (Retd).
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition against the sealing drive.
The DDA has recently proposed to finalise amendments to the Delhi Master Plan 2021 to provide immediate relief to traders.
The proposed amendments include increasing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of local shopping complexes from existing 180 per cent to 300 per cent, regularising agricultural warehouses on 12 metre wide roads, allowing uniform floor area ratio (FAR) across localities and reducing conversion charges.
The sealing drive was being carried out against business establishments using residential areas for commercial purposes without paying conversion charges.
–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.