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Calcutta HC scraps SAT ruling, terms DA as legal right of govt employees
Kolkata, Aug 31 (IANS) Calcutta High Court on Friday set aside a ruling by the state administrative tribunal (SAT) on dearness allowance of the state government employees and asked it to wrap up the matter within the next two months by reconsidering certain aspects of the issue in the light of existing law.
The division bench comprising of Justice Debasish Kargupta and Justice S.B. Saraf observed that getting DA has become a legal right of the government employees after the introduction of Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) rule 2009.
In 2016, SAT had ruled the DA was a type of donation given by the state government and not a legal right of the government employees.
“When the first case was filed, SAT said that Dearness Allowance (DA) is a form of donation by the states government and it will be granted as per the government’s wish. The division bench of Calcutta High Court today scrapped the ruling,” state government employees’ counsel Amjad Ali told the media here.
“The court has also asked the SAT to decide whether State government employees will get DA at the same rate with the Central government employees and whether giving different rates to the state government employees posted in Delhi and Chennai is justified,” he said.
The division bench observed that the central government fixes DA of its employees across the country at the same rate without discriminating on the place of posting.
“It is true that in Delhi and Chennai, DA has been given as per the rate of Central Government. The allowance is decided on the basis of All India Consumer Price Index. Tripura and other State governments also give DA based on the same rate as that of the Central government,” the counsel added.
Pointing out that SAT has not invited affidavits from the state government with regard to its claim, the bench directed the West Bengal government to file an affidavit before SAT within three weeks and observed that the petitioners will be allowed to file their reply to the state government’s affidavit within another week after that.
“It is a historic victory for the state employees. The way DA was given at certain Bengal districts, it hampered the social dignity of the government employees. But after today’s verdict, it is not donation anymore, it is our legal right,” Petitioner Shyamal Kr Mitra added.
–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.