Connect with us

Top News

Delhi shops shut over sealing drive; all-party team will meet SC panel: AAP, Congress (Roundup)

Published

on

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) On a day when thousands of shops across the city were shut to protest against an ongoing sealing drive in the city, AAP and Congress said that an all-party delegation will meet a Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee to find a solution to the drive.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Tuesday made separate statements on the issue after a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Delhi ministers at the CM’s residence.

The sealing drive — being carried out by the three BJP-led city municipal corporations under the guidance of the Monitoring Committee — has been launched against the business establishments using residential properties for commercial purposes and the ones which have not paid conversion charges.

Addressing the media separately, Sisodia and Maken also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not taking part in the meeting, despite an invitation from Kejriwal.

“It’s very sad that BJP did not come for the meeting but does politics on the issue,” Sisodia said.

He said that another meeting would be called on the issue of sealing if the BJP is willing to attend it. “The BJP can resolve the issue in a day if they want to.”

Sisodia also said that the BJP does not want to find a solution to the sealing drive.

“BJP wants to make way for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) through the sealing drive,” Sisodia said and added that the drive is being done with the support of BJP.

Both leaders said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress MPs will also raise the issue in Parliament.

Maken said the Delhi government has not met the Monitoring Committee since the sealing drive began and added that Kejriwal has also agreed for a meeting with the parliamentary panel.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Development Minister Gopal Rai were among others who attended the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Later in the day, Congress President Rahul Gandhi attacked both AAP and BJP over the sealing drive.

“Stop the drama of allegations and counter-allegations over sealing in Delhi. Due to BJP-AAP collusion and fake fights, traders are facing a lot of difficulties,” the Congress President said in a tweet.

He also said that both parties should work together to find a solution to the issue.

Responding to Gandhi, Kejriwal asked him to raise the issue in Parliament and offered all support from AAP.

Meanwhile, the protesting traders called the all-party meeting convened by Kejriwal a “political stunt” and they adopted a resolution to demand that the Kejriwal government pass a bill in the assembly to put an end to the drive.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that over seven lakh shops in 2,500 markets across the city were shut on Tuesday.

Traders also took out protest marches in various markets, including Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh and Kashmere Gate.

On March 28, a traders’ rally would be held at Ramlila Maidan here against the sealing drive which, the CAIT said, is in “utter violation” of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Act, 1957.

The business losses due to Tuesday’s bandh were estimated at Rs 1,800 crore, with the revenue loss to government pegged at about Rs 150 crore, CAIT said.

The Monitoring Committee was set up by the Supreme Court in 2006. In 2012, the apex court asked the committee to halt the drive. But, in December 2017, it ordered resumption of the drive.

–IANS
nkh/nir/dg

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending