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Oil price cut a hogwash, says opposition

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Far from being impressed by the Rs 2.50 per litre cut in petrol and diesel prices by the Narendra Modi government on Thursday, the opposition called the move a “panic reaction” and a hogwash, and demanded greater reduction in fuel prices.

The Congress dared the Prime Minister to bring the fuel prices back to the 2014 level, instead of throwing a “pittance of one or two rupees” at the public.

Announcing the price cut in the afternoon, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said of the Rs 2.50, Rs 1.50 per litre will be the excise duty cut while the oil marketing companies will absorb Re 1 per litre.

Pointing out that the Modi government, ever since coming to power in May 2014, has increased central excise duty 12 times — 211 per cent for petrol and 443 per cent for diesel, party Spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime of effecting a “fuel loot” totalling Rs 13 lakh crore.

“This price reduction is a panic reaction. If the government is serious, it should have withdrawn the excise hike of 211 per cent on petrol and 443 per cent on diesel levied since May 2014,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Centre should slash fuel prices by “at least Rs 10 per litre” and also withdraw the cess on petroleum products.

“This government at the Centre is not bothered about the well-being of the masses… The Centre should also withdraw the cess on petroleum products. The increase in fuel prices has a spiralling effect on the prices of essential commodities,” she said.

Calling the excise duty cut on fuel as “cheating”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, demanded a Rs 10 per litre excise duty roll back on petrol and diesel.

“Modi government had hiked excise duty by Rs 10 and reduced it by only Rs 2.50 today. This is cheating. The Centre should reduce excise by Rs 10,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the Thursday’s price cut has exposed the government claim that it has no control over fuel prices.

“Today the government’s lie that it has no control over price rise has been nailed. The profiteering BJP is exploiting the public by working on the formula of ‘hike Rs 25, cut Rs 2.50′,” Yadav tweeted.

He said that the government “stages a drama” of reducing oil prices near election, and added that now even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s supporters are “feeling cheated” by their own government.

–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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