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Cabinet okays Rs 15,000 cr support to Swachh Bharat Mission

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New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS) The Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved raising of Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) of Rs 15,000 crore through NABARD for the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) during 2018-19, it was announced on Wednesday.

Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision will benefit around 1.5 crore rural households eligible for incentive under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), and also the gram panchayats for solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) activities.

“In order to meet the financial requirements for achieving the goals of SBM(G), for the year 2018-19, in the budget announcements made by Finance Minister, an amount of Rs 30,343 crore was allocated for SBM(G). This was proposed to be met by Rs 15,343 crore from General Budgetary support and remaining Rs 15,000 through Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR),” Prasad said.

The funds will be utilized to achieve and sustain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in the villages across the country.

Prasad said the loan amount of Rs 15,000 crore will be repaid to NABARD as single bullet payment at the end of 10th year from the date of loan disbursement as per the agreed terms and conditions.

The EBR funds will be raised through NABARD after considering the exact requirements/expenditure of the states and Union Territories and released to the states/UTs implementing agencies.

This will help provide adequate and timely funds to the states/UTs for achieving the goal of the Mission within the deadlines, he said.

The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 2014, with the goal to achieve universal sanitation coverage in rural areas by October 2, 2019.

Under the scheme, financial incentive of Rs 12,000 is provided to the eligible beneficiaries for construction of individual household toilets in the prescribed funding share pattern between the Centre and the states.

For SLWM activities, the financial assistance is provided with a cap of Rs 7/12/15/20 lakh to gram panchayats having up to 150/300/500/more than 500 households, respectively.

“The Swachh Bharat Mission has made rapid progress in advancing sanitation in rural India. As on July 31 this year, sanitation coverage in India is 88.9 per cent. Over 7.94 crore toilets have been built since October 2, 2014, with 4.06 lakh villages, 419 districts and 19 states and UTs already being declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

“The pace of progress is constantly accelerating and India is on track to achieve ODF by October 2019,” Prasad said.

–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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