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Agreeing with AAP, LG suspends current ration distribution scheme, orders probe
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Agreeing to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s proposal, Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Monday suspended the e-PoS system in the distribution of ration and also ordered Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) to probe alleged misuse of OTP authentication in delivery.
Under e-POS (Electronic Point of Sale) system, beneficiaries are given ration through biometric identification. The One Time Password (OTP) provision is used in case the biometric identification of beneficiary fails under the e-POS system.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had been demanding the scrapping of the system.
Hinting at giving his nod to the AAP’s ambitious doorstep delivery of ration scheme, Baijal asked Kejriwal government to take prior approval of the Central government before implementing it.
“Lt Governor Anil Baijal received the proposal for suspension of e-PoS devices from the CM and Minister (F&S) and concurred with the same,” said a statement from the LG office.
It also said that he hoped that all legal, financial and administrative implications of this decision have been taken into account by the Delhi government.
“The Lt Governor stated that we should not end up discarding the very technology that enabled detection of fraudulent transactions in the first place,” the statement said, adding that he was surprised to receive a proposal to suspend the operation of e-PoS devices which the AAP government themselves were very keen to introduce few months back.
Earlier this month, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed that the government has found open theft in delivery of ration in the city, and demanded suspension of the Food and Supplies Commissioner.
Based on inquiries, he had said the OTP provision has been misused and that ration has been siphoned off during the month of March on a number of cards that appeared to be fake.
“The LG has referred the entire matter to the ACB in view of the seriousness of the allegations made for expeditious investigation. L-G also assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty,” the L-G office said in response to his allegations.
On the AAP government’s move for doorstep delivery of ration, Baijal’s office said that they have “no objection to implement the same” given the “elected government is convinced that sufficient checks and balances have been put in place” in the proposed scheme and “the issue highlighted by him in the previous note have been addressed”.
It however added that the statutory requirement of seeking prior approval of Central government under Section 12(2)(h) of the National Food Security Act, 2013 as pointed out by the Law Department, would have to be met before the scheme is implemented.
“The Lt Governor hoped that action would be taken expeditiously by the elected government as per the advice of Law Department so that there is no further loss of time,” the statement said.
–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.