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Crime Branch quizzed me about my RTIs on Goa CM’s health, says accused
Panaji, April 26 (IANS) Kenneth Silveira, who was arrested and released last week for uploading a false Facebook post declaring Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar dead, said on Thursday that during the interrogation, Crime Branch sleuths were keen to know the reasons for filing RTI queries, seeking to know Parrikar’s health status from the CMO.
Addressing a press conference here, 35-year-old Silveira alleged that the Crime Branch officials kept quizzing him about the reasons behind my applications under the Right to Information Act (RTI) vis a vis the health of Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer in a US health facility.
“While the FIR against me was filed because of a Facebook post, which questioned whether Parrikar was dead, during my interrogation, all the officers wanted to know is why I had filed the RTI applications seeking the health details of Parrikar,” Silveira said.
Kenneth was arrested by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police last Wednesday, a day after he put up a post on the social media site suggesting that Parrikar was dead.
Two days prior to his arrest, he had also filed an RTI application with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), seeking to know, among other things, the expenditure incurred by the state government on the treatment of the Chief Minister, copies of his medical bills, Parrikar’s expected date of return, etc.
“The reason why I filed the RTI was to know how much was being spent from the state exchequer on the treatment of our elected Chief Minister. I am being targeted because of this RTI. The Facebook post was just an excuse for them to arrest me,” Silveira said.
Parrikar, who was first hospitalised in a local medical facility on February 15 for stomach pain, was rushed to a New York-based health facility last month.
While there is no official confirmation of the severity of his ailment, both the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit as well as the CMO through statements released to the media have maintained that the Chief Minister is suffering from “mild pancreatitis”.
State BJP president Vinay Tendulkar earlier this week said that Parrikar was expected to return to Goa next month.
–IANS
maya/nir
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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.