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Bengal Panchayat polls: HC rejects opposition’s petitions, asks SEC to discuss security arrangements
Kolkata, April 24 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday disposed off the petitions filed by BJP, Congress and PDS)complaining about the West Bengal Panchayat poll nomination process but asked the State Election Commission to discuss the issue of security arrangements during the election with all the important stakeholders.
A single bench of Justice Subrata Talukdar disposed off the Bharatiya Janata Party’s appeal to further extend the nomination process over the alleged violence by the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress on the extended day for filing of nomination papers on Monday and said the court would not interfere in the election process.
He also disposed off the Congress’ petition that claimed the notification issued by the SEC for filling of fresh nomination was incomplete and faulty.
The judge however asked the SEC to consult not just the state government but all important stakeholders including the opposition parties regarding the security arrangements during the coming rural polls and submit a detailed report regarding the arrangement before the High Court’s Division Bench.
However, he left it to SEC’s discretion to take the final call about the possible security measures to ensure free and fair election process.
The court also instructed the SEC to accept the nominations of nine prospective candidates of Jami, Jibika, Paribesh O Bastutantra Raksha Committee (Committee to Save Land, Livelihood, Environment and Ecosystem) in South 24 Parganas district’s Bhangar, which were submitted to the retuning officers through Whatsapp.
The nine members of the local body that has been spearheading the land agitation in the region were allegedly stopped from filing nominations by the state ruling party. Justice Talukdar pointed out that their nomination cannot be rejected by SEC on technical grounds.
SEC said, according to the High Court’s previous order, it had already discussed the provisions of extended nomination day with all the state political parties and fixed the day for filing fresh nominations and clarified that it does not intend to hold any further discussions with the parties regarding the polling dates.
It also said it was addressing the security concerns raised by opposition parties as and when the complaints come.
Trinamool counsel Kalyan Banerjee noted that consultation with all political parties regarding the polling dates was not a feasible option as someone or the other might have objections on any date fixed by the SEC. He also pointed out that primacy about the election process rests completely with the SEC.
The state opposition parties on Monday moved the Calcutta High Court accusing the Trinamool of unleashing unprecedented terror on their party activists on the extended nomination day for the rural polls on Monday.
The Calcutta High Court had on Friday ordered the SEC to make a fresh announcement extending the deadline for filing of nominations for the coming panchayat polls and finalise a new election schedule.
–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.