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Parliament extends Maldives Emergency by 30 days (Lead)
Male, Feb 20 (IANS) Following a request by Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, Parliament on Tuesday approved extending the ongoing state of Emergency by 30 days, despite a lack of quorum.
Only 38 MPs from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives were present for the vote despite the requirement of 43 lawmakers as per the Constitution, the Maldives Independent reported.
The opposition had boycotted the vote to ensure that it does not take place, but the extension was granted anyway.
Shahindha Ismail, Executive Director of the Maldives Democracy Network, accused the ruling party of “removing all democratic and lawful systems of governance in the country”.
Maldives Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed quoted parliamentary regulations which do not include state of Emergency declarations among the votes where a constitutionally required quorum is needed, the daily reported.
The state of Emergency will end on March 22. However, earlier reports said the Parliament was requested to extend the ongoing Emergency by 15 days.
Yameen had requested the Parliament to extend the state of Emergency by 30 days “due to the present threat to national security and a constitutional crisis following the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 1 ordering the release of detained opposition leaders, including self-exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed”.
Opposition lawmaker Eva Abdulla accused the Speaker of “bypassing the Constitution” and said the state of Emergency was “illegal”.
Ismail blasted the government and the ruling party. “The ruling party has effectively and completely removed all democratic and lawful systems of governance in this country,” she said.
“This lawlessness is affecting the entire nation socially and economically and if there is nothing that can be done to stop this unruly and violent behaviour on the part of the state then it is time for the people to show their discontent and stand up for our rights.
“We do not have to obey unconstitutional and unlawful orders,” she added.
A 15-day state of Emergency was first declared on February 5 after the surprise Supreme Court ruling asking the government to free former President Nasheed and other leaders. The order was, however, rescinded shortly after the declaration of the state of Emergency.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians wrote to Maldives Speaker Maseeh Mohamed raising concerns over the current political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation and urging him to immediately take steps to restore normalcy and respect for the rule of law in the country.
Karu Jayasuriya, who is also the Sri Lankan Speaker, in his letter to Maseeh Mohamed said that “democratic norms and parliamentary practices appeared to be in peril at this time in the country” and called for “finding peaceful solutions through dialogue.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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