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Odisha CM seeks PM’s help over 15th Finance Commission

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Bhubaneswar, April 13 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the 15th Finance Commission uses the population data of the 1971 census instead of that of 2011 while making its recommendations.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Patnaik said that the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 15th Finance Commission would adversely affect states like Odisha.

“The Presidential order dated 27th November, 2017, on constitution and ToR of the 15th Finance Commission has made significant departures from the ToR of the previous Finance Commission, which may have adverse impact on horizontal devolution for Odisha as well as vertical devolution for states,” the Chief Minister wrote.

He said the main suggestions of the state government during the consultations prior to the notification of the Terms of Reference had apparently been ignored.

“On vertical devolution, the ToR seek to put fetters on the permit of the Commission. Instead of giving the freedom to the Commission to arrive at its recommendations on resource sharing between the Centre and states based on the respective needs and after due consultations, there are leading suggestions in the ToR indicating the overriding priorities and concerns of the Union Government,” he said.

“On horizontal devolution, the ToR make a radical departure by mandating the Commission to use population data of 2011 while making its recommendations,” he said.

Patnaik said the Terms of Reference for the 15th Finance Commission asking the use of 2011 census data was contrary to the National Population Policy Statements and the assurances to states which had actively implemented population stabilisation measures.

“It will have a huge adverse impact on our share in devolution as Odisha is already below the Population Replacement Rate of 2.1, indicating that we have stabilised our population. We demand that population data of 1971 census should be used by the 15th Finance Commission while making its recommendations,” said the Chief Minister.

“In many of the performance-based incentives indicated in the ToR, it may not be possible to have measurable indicators. Besides, there is no incentive for the states which have achieved the replacement rate of population growth. On the contrary, they will lose out as the population data of 2011 census will be used by the Commission unless the ToR are suitably amended,” he added.

–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

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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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