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Congress attacks Centre over rising fuel prices, falling rupee (Lead)
New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) The Congress on Friday attacked the Modi government over “skyrocketing” fuel prices and claimed that over Rs 11 lakh crore was earned from taxes imposed on fuels while the rupee is at a record low of Rs 71 per dollar.
The opposition party said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies are sinking India’s economy while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was busy writing long-winding blogs to score political points.
“Monstrous taxes levied by the government have resulted in skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices. The government has already profited by over Rs 11 lakh crore from draconian taxes on fuel,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement.
“There has been an increase of 211.7 per cent in excise levy on petrol and 433.06 per cent on diesel since the BJP came to power in May 2014,” he said. The central excise duty was hiked 12 times since then,” he said.
He said petrol and diesel prices were at an all-time high and the common people, the farmers, transporters and small and medium businesses were bearing the brunt.
Surjewala said that diesel price at Rs 70.26 per litre was impacting farmers’ lifeline, besides having a stinging effect on runaway food inflation. Petrol at Rs 78.57 per litre in Delhi had gravely impacted the transportation and commuting cost of the common man, the Congress leader added.
“No matter how many alibis and untruths the BJP weaves, the truth is that the government systematically weakened our economy. Deliberate accidents like demonetisation, flawed GST, weakened banking sector and tax terrorism are squarely responsible,” said Surjewala.
“Rupee is in the ICU. The Modi government is in its last lap. All tall promises made by Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections have disappeared from the BJP narrative,” he added.
Slamming the government for exporting petrol and diesel at cheaper prices, Surjewala said: “Petrol and diesel are available in India in Rs 78-Rs 86 range and Rs 70-Rs 75 range respectively, but an RTI reply has revealed that the government is selling petrol to 15 countries at just Rs 34 per litre and diesel to 29 countries at Rs 37.”
“This is how the government has betrayed and backstabbed the people of India.”
Surjewala said that the Modi government and the BJP had refused to “listen to us” on bringing petrol and diesel under the GST.
“The Congress wants to caution the government once again to make a belated course correction so that the economy can be saved,” he 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.