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Decline in Delhi groundwater level can lead to water war: SC

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New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Upset that authorities were not realising the seriousness of the situation, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the critical decline in groundwater level in Delhi could lead to a “water war” for every drop.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta was shocked that groundwater was “over exploited” and the level had declined to “very critical” stage.

After perusing a report filed by the Central Ground Water Board on depletion of groundwater in Delhi, the court said even the area around President’s Estate has very low groundwater level.

“What are we doing? We are not in a position to give water to our President. We can’t give water to Birla Madir. The situation (of groundwater level) is over exploited and very critical all over Delhi,” the bench said.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, assisting the court as amicus curiae in the case, said due to excess extraction of groundwater, almost 90 per cent of Delhi is in a “critical” situation.

Except central Delhi and some parts of west Delhi — which came under the safe category in the report — the groundwater level in the rest of Delhi was over exploited, Kumar added.

The bench said: “We are in a deep rooted trouble. What to do, we are short of water. Can anybody live without water? I don’t think anybody is realising the seriousness of the situation.”

When Additional Solicitor General N.S. Nadkarni, appearing for the Central government, said the “next world war would be on water”, the bench replied: “Forget about world war, Delhi war is going to start soon (on water issue).”

The top court also slammed the authorities concerned for not taking the issue seriously and said there are many problems in Delhi like solid waste management, water issue, unauthorised construction, encroachment, pollution and others.

It said the authorities can’t say it will tackle only one issue. “Everybody has to work together, everybody has to sit together to solve the problems. Things are critical,” it said, adding that situation will become “irreversible” and in some areas “it has become irreversible”.

Mentioning that the report indicated “extremely sad affair” as almost whole of Delhi was in a “critical stage”, the bench sought responses from the Ministry of Water Resources, the Delhi government and the Delhi Pollution Control Board on the report.

The court now posted the matter for hearing on May 15.

On the issue of unauthorised construction and encroachment in Delhi, the bench was informed by advocates Ranjit Kumar and A.D.N. Rao that Khan Market and Sanjay Market have been flouting its order.

In Khan Market, all shopkeepers have extended their shops by at least eight feet, and verandas, pavements have been encroached upon, they said, adding that in Sanjay Market, multi-storyed buildings have come up on properties sealed in 2007.

The amicus curaie said the Special Task Force (STF), formed by the Central government to monitor issues relating to unauthorised constructions in Delhi, has not taken any action with regard to these markets but jhuggis on pavements have been removed.

The bench asked the STF to take action on encroachment in Khan Market and Sanjay Market. It also directed that the STF should meet once in a week.

The court has been hearing pleas relating to the validity of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006 and subsequent legislation protecting unauthorised construction from being sealed in Delhi.

Earlier, the court halted all construction, not in conformity with building bye laws, in 1,797 unauthorised colonies in Delhi.

–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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