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How long will unauthorised constructions continue, SC asks Centre
New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over rampant unauthorised constructions across the country and asked the Centre as to how long these will continue.
Referring to a fire incident in Crystal Tower in Parel that claimed four lives and earlier incidents of fire in Kamala Mills in Mumbai and Bawana factory in Delhi, a bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta asked: “Has the government of India any policy that unauthorised constructions will not be tolerated? This can’t be tolerated.”
The bench wondered how such high rises were allowed without clearances from authorities concerned.
The apex court said that one of the reasons for unauthorised constructions was that people thought that such buildings would not be demolished and will be regularised.
“People are dying in these unauthorised constructions. You see what happened in Mumbai’s Parel where a fire broke out in a high-rise building two days back. We have read somewhere that the building did not have an occupancy certificate. How are these high-rise buildings being allowed to be built?” the bench said.
“We are dealing with the issue of Delhi, but what is happening in the rest of the country is equally worrying. Shall we start taking the matter city-wise — Mumbai, Calcutta or Chennai?” the bench asked, adding: “It is a sorry state of affairs if we look at other parts of the country.”
Additional Solicitor General A.N.S. Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that these high rises were being built due to “large-scale corruption in Town Planning departments and civic bodies.”
The bench then asked the ASG: “What is the government doing if there is so much corruption. Tell us, what steps are being taken by it? If we take certain action, you say it is judicial activism.”
The top court also said that there are so many residential buildings being used for commercial purposes, while observing how mixed use of buildings increases the risk for residents, adding: “There are about 51,000 homes used for commercial purposes in Delhi.”
“Everything is collapsing… You make laws and then you make a mockery of these laws,” observed the bench.
The court was hearing a plea relating to the issue of validity of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006, and subsequent legislations which protect unauthorised constructions from sealing.
–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.