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Cut water connection of Shimlas’ erring hoteliers: HC
Shimla, May 30 (IANS) Continuing its tough stand against the civic authorities over its failure to provide adequate portable water to residents of Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed water connections of erring hoteliers be cut.
In its resumed hearing on the third consecutive day, a division bench headded by acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol expressed surprise when it was informed that certain hoteliers were not clearing water arrears.
“We direct the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation to immediately take steps for disconnection of water connections of such hoteliers, who have not yet cleared their municipal dues,” the bench ordered.
“However, if anyone of the hoteliers volunteers to deposit the amount within two days, such disconnection be put in abeyance for such period.”
The court was informed that within the municipal limits, there are 224 hotels and more than 527 water connections were allotted to them.
It was however told that this needed to be physically verified as there was a general impression among the public that water connections to some of the hotels were provided illegally.
Listing the case for next hearing on Thursday, the bench, also comprising Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, directed the Municipal Commissioner and its Engineer to personally remain present in the court and file the compliance report.
There was no end to miseries of the residents with protests across the city continued on Wednesday against the civic body. Cutting short their stay, even tourists started leaving the resort city.
The High Court on Tuesday suspended all construction activity for a week and said no water would be supplied through tankers to the VIPs, including judges.
Even the much awaited five-day annual summer festival of dance and music here, set to begin on June 1, has also been postponed by the local administration due to the water scarcity.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh said 14 MLD water would be procured from the Gumma pumping station per day instead of 11 MLD at present, a government statement to the media said.
The minister visited Gumma and held a meeting with local people and public representative of the Gram Panchayats of Dewla, Majheewad and Gumma.
He said the local people agreed for releasing water for 15 hours instead of 12 hours for the Gumma pumping station.
–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.