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CAG thumbs down to diesel locomotives contract

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New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Diesel locomotives manufactured under an agreement between India and the US will have no scope for productive use by Indian Railways as it planned 100 per cent electrification, a CAG report tabled in Parliament on Friday said.

“As long time has elapsed, there was a need to reassess the necessity of setting up the new diesel locomotive manufacturing unit, before awarding the contract. Audit analysis showed that the diesel locomotives available with the Railways are sufficient in numbers to take care of the present needs,” the report said while coming down heavily on the agreement for setting up of the diesel locomotive manufacturing unit along with maintenance depot at Roza in Uttar Pradesh and Gandhidham in Gujarat.

The Railways Ministry had proposed the setting up of the manufacturing unit at Marhowra in Bihar in September 2006. The contract was awared to GE Global Sourcing India Pvt Ltd in November 2015 for setting up of the manufacturing unit along with maintenance depots at Roza and Gandhidham.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pointed out that the Railways planned to shift to total electrification of its broad-gauge routes by 2021 and will run trains on dedicated freight corridors on electric mode.

“Even if the Railways do not go for 100 per cent electrification, it is expected that most high traffic routes will definately be electrified and the need for diesel traction will remain only for low-traffic routes, for which high horsepower diesel locos are not likely to be used optimally,” the CAG said.

The CAG said that consequently the need for high horsepower diesel traction in the Railways is going to diminish in the years to come.

“Indian Railways has realised this eventuality and decided to significantly reduce the production at diesel locomotive works at Varanasi… Also the production plan of diesel Loco Modernisation Works at Patiala does not include any plan for production of diesel locomotive in 2018-19,” it said.

“As such the diesel locomotives procured under this agreement will have no scope for productive utilisation,” the auditor said.

“Thus, setting up new infrastructure for diesel locomotive production and incurring a huge liability of Rs 17,126.08 crore is not in sync with the overall strategic vision of the Railways,” it added.

The CAG recommended that the Railways may revisit the issue.

–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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