National
Bring petrol-diesel under GST, demands Congress
Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) With prices of petrol and diesel, per litre, crossing Rs 81 and Rs 68 respectively here, the Congress’s Mumbai unit on Monday reiterated its demand to bring these fuels under the ambit of GST.
Accusing the Central government of being “unconcerned’ about the plight of the common masses, Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam pointed out that the petrol-diesel prices have overshot the highest peak four years ago, with an average Rs 5 per litre hike in both since the price of January 1, 2018.
“As the people battle to survive these high fuel prices, the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state and centre have no back-up plan to address the issue, it is clearly ‘anti-people’ and only concerned about the rich,” he said in a statement.
Nirupam added that the tax component in the petrol-diesel prices is extremely high and either the taxes have to be slashed or the fuels have to be brought under the GST ambit immediately to bring down the prices, and provide relief to the masses.
“In 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, the growth in government revenues from petroleum produces was a whopping 25 percent, which is much higher than the 9-10 percent notched in the two previous financial years. The BJP government is milking the common masses by denying them the full benefits of the lower international crude oil prices that prevailed earlier.
“The worst is the spiralling impact the high prices of the two critical fuels on all other sectors of the economy, transportation, prices of foods and commodities, with the entire supply chain slated for an increase in rates and the spectre of steep hike in food prices soon looming before the people,” he said.
–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.