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SC reserves order on challenge to EC move for NOTA in RS polls

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on a plea challenging the Election Commission’s circulars making NOTA applicable to Rajya Sabha election as the court appeared unimpressed by the poll panel’s position on the issue.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachid reserved the order, observing that Rajya Sabha elections are complicated as it is and why does the Election Commission wants to make it more complicated.

Attorney General K.K.Venugopal told the court that NOTA could not be made applicable to election to Rajya Sabha as it was different from general elections where the voter was generally not politically affiliated, adding that a voter in Rajya Sabha election is politically affiliated and bound by the party constitution and could face action for defying it.

Disagreeing with the Election Commission on introducing NOTA in Rajya Sabha elections, he sought to show the distinction between the electoral college of elected members of legislature in the State assembly with that ofA common voters in a general election.

Chief Justice Misra differed with the advocate appearing for the Election Commission who sought to invoke the Constitution’s Article 19 (1)(a) guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression to support introduction of NOTA in the election to upper house.

Ruling out linking voting for election to Rajya Sabha and Article 19(1)(a), he asked how can a constitutional court be a party to something not constitutional.

“Whatever he (voter in election to Rajya Sabha) does, we can’t interfere in parliamentary matters. Let him not vote,” said Chief Justice Misra.

Justice Chandrachud asked the lawyer for the EC that if NOTA was allowed the value of vote will become zero asking why a voter in Rajya Sabha elections shows the party representative that he has voted for a candidate fielded by the party.

Petitioner Shailesh Manubhai Parmar had challenged the vires of the January 24, 2014 and November 12, 2015, Election Commission circulars making NOTA applicable to election to Rajya Sabha.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Parmar, thrashed the EC move on different counts including proportional representation, open ballot, preferences and transfer of surplus votes to candidates of other parties.

–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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