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Finance Commission may incentivise states for better population management (Lead)

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Kolkata, July 16 (IANS) The 15th Finance Commission’s Chairman N. K. Singh on Monday said it may consider incentivising states which have made “good and rapid” progress in population management.

“One of the terms of reference for the Commission says that we shall use 2011 census if we choose to use population. There is a particular component in the terms of reference which says we may consider incentivising those states which have achieved good and rapid progress on replacement rates on demographic management,” he said addressing a programme of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Responding to a query about opposition by some states for shifting of population base from 1971 to 2011 in the terms of reference, he said the Commission has to abide by the terms of reference given to it by the President.

“We have to abide by the terms of reference that the President gives us,” he said.

He said population has been used as an important variable right from 1952 in the decision of horizontal distribution, i.e. how much money should go to the states and which state should get how much of the kitty. However, weights given to population have been varied.

“The balance between the efficiency and equity is the central piece on which the work of this Finance Commission must be judged… the endeavour of the Commission is to ensure that appropriate balance and fair judgement is reached between rewarding performance and recognising the need for equity,” he said.

Singh said the Commission, which came into effect from November 2017, is expected to submit its report by end 2019.

The Commission has been visiting West Bengal from Monday to Wednesday and is supposed to have discussions with state government officials and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Earlier in the day, its members met leaders of various political parties at state Secretariat Nabanna here and Singh said all “pleaded for a higher devolution of taxes and sought special attention for the debt stressed states”.

According to terms of reference of this Commission, it was asked for the first time to lay down the framework and terms and conditions for the use of Article 293 (3) of the Constitution, he said.

In fact, the central government has decided to simplify the consent mechanism for Open Market Borrowings (OMBs) under Article 293 (3) in order to bring in transparency and predictability in their use by the states.

Till now, the states were required to obtain quarterly consent from the Central Government for raising OMBs within the Net Borrowing Ceiling fixed for each of the states as per the formula prescribed by the Fourteenth Finance Commission, and now the Commission has been asked to “lay down conditions under which the central government should consider according permission or denying permission, one way or the other under Article 293 (3)”.

Singh contended that popularly elected governments undertake decisions resulting in fiscal profligacy, excessive market borrowing leaving behind an excessive pile of debt to successor governments which would suffer under the impact of the decisions taken earlier.

–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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