National
After ‘Goonda Tax’ taint, Amarinder orders crackdown
Chandigarh, Feb 15 (IANS) With allegations flying thick about ruling Congress legislators and leaders indulging in collection of ‘Goonda Tax’, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the Director General of Police to crack down on the menace.
Taking note of reports of illicit collection of money from business and industry, Amarinder Singh ordered a crackdown on the “so-called Goonda Tax”, a spokesman for the Chief Minister said on Thursday.
Director General of Police Suresh Arora was asked to activate all available resources to identify and take strict action against the culprits, irrespective of who they are.
“The issue was raised during the Cabinet meeting by ministers, who urged the Chief Minister to take cognizance of reports related to Goonda Tax being charged from businesses and industries in some parts of the state.
“Finance Minister Manpreet Badal said his name was being vilified in the whole process, that was adversely affecting business sentiment, which the state government was striving hard to promote,” the spokesman said.
Responding to the concern, Amarinder Singh told the DGP to initiate immediate steps to crack down on those involved in the collection of such tax, without taking into consideration their political or other affiliations.
The Chief Minister asked the DGP to ensure that the message goes down the rank and file of the police force that no laxity or delay in the matter would be tolerated, the spokesman added.
Amarinder Singh said: “Such activities hinder the government’s efforts to bring industrial and economic development back on track, and to provide a clean and transparent environment to boost industry and investment in the state.”
–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.