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After SC order, officers’ mindset has changed: Delhi minister
By Nivedita Singh
New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) Ten days after the Supreme Court clipped the powers of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam says peoples perception about the Delhi government has changed.
“Aam Aadmi Party’s MLAs and ministers are feeling more confident,” he told IANS.
The Supreme Court has said the Lt. Governor is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. Three subjects that have been kept off the Delhi government jurisdiction are land, police and public order.
Guatam said since July 4, official files are not going for approval to Baijal. “So, the development work has gained momentum. We now only have to inform him and not wait for his permission,” he said.
“The order has restored the powers of the Delhi government. If I see the order as a lawyer, I would say services (mainly the power to shift officials) lie with the Delhi government. Many officers also believe the same,” he said. “They know that this fight is useless,” said Gautam, a law graduate from Delhi University.
“The officers, who were earlier making excuses, are attending all our meetings and are working with us. They are helping in speeding up various projects.”
AAP’s chief spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj says there was a change in the attitude of the officers, but “it was felt only for a day”.
“The day Supreme Court’s order came, the Chief Minister was welcomed by officers. The officers who were not picking our calls till last month started calling us on their own. Things then again changed with the LG asserting his position over the services department. The officers again started behaving in the usual manner,” he said.
“Most officers want to work. It is the Chief Secretary who is forcing them to not work. He directs them to create hurdles, and I don’t have to say who is ordering him,” he said.
Last month, Kejriwal, along with three of his ministers, sat on a strike for nine days in Baijal’s office over non-cooperation of IAS officers. The Chief Minister had alleged the IAS officers in Delhi were on strike, and that they were boycotting meetings called by the ministers.
The officers maintained that they had not gone on strike, and that they were concerned about their safety following an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by AAP MLAs in February.
Bhardwaj says the government is doing all it can with the limited powers, be it CCTV installation, doorstep ration delivery or Signature Bridge construction.
In the last 10 days, the government has cleared several pending projects — two new academic blocks in the Delhi Technological University (DTU), free pilgrimage for senior citizens and in-principle approval for the hiring of a consultant to run 1,000 electric buses.
Several on-going projects which were stuck because of the administrative tussle have also gained momentum.
(Nivedita Singh can be contacted at [email protected] )
–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.