National
SC to hear on bank top brass’ role in PNB scam (Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a plea for probe into the role of the top management of Punjab National Bank in the Rs 11,300 crore scam allegedly involving jeweller Nirav Modi and others.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday agreed to hear the plea by lawyer Vineet Dhanda upon mention by lawyer J.P. Dhanda who sought an early hearing of the matter.
Seeking the extradition of Nirav Modi, petitioner Vineet Dhanda has wondered how such alleged fraudster manage to enter the inner circle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and if there was a system by which such people could be prevented from getting close to the Prime Minister to protect his image.
His referrence to the photo of Nirav Modi in the photo session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Davos.
Describing Nirav Modi as the “kingpin” of the Rs 11,500 crore scam, the PIL says that “after doing fraud, the swindlers – all of them have gone to foreign countries”.
Describing the PNB scam as the “biggest scam in the history of banking system in India”, the PIL petitioner said: “It is a very shocking the way the swindlers have succeeded in siphoning of public money from the Punjab National Bank in connivance with the top management of the Bank.”
He also sought direction to the government to take steps for the extradition of Nirav Modi and the issuance of look-out notice against defaulters.
The petitions also sought direction to the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India to frame guidelines for the grant of loans involving Rs 10 crore and above, and also for power to grant big loans be brought under the ambit of the Union Finance Ministry.
The PIL petitioner also sought setting up of a committee to look into the bad debts cases and steps needed to be taken for their recovery.
It has also sought the framing of rules for the recovery of loans from the defaulters within stipulated period including the attachment of their properties and their auction in open market.
–IANS
pk/vd
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.