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Cong attacks EC, Rawat says no pressure (Lead)

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The Election commission on Saturday rejected the Congress allegation that it had rescheduled the press conference to declare the poll schedule in five states under “pressure” from the Prime Minister to accommodate his election rally in Ajmer in Rajasthan.

As the Commission came under attack, Chief Election Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat suo motu, in his press conference, referred to the delay in the media interaction and said technical experts of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) informed the Commission in the morning that there were some technical problems relating to electoral roll of one state and they needed more time to solve it.

He also mentioned the pending plea in the Hyderabad High Court and the Friday order of the court directing the Commission to show the final electoral rolls of Telangana to the bench on October 8, the next date fixed for hearing, before releasing it.

The CEC also said that Chief secretary of Tamil Nadu requested the Commission not to announce the schedule for by elections to two Assembly seats in the state as there is forecast of cyclone and rain. “All this things made us to change everything,” he said.

Later during the question-answer session, Rawat was sked about the criticism over rescheduling the time of the press conference from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and that it was done under pressure from Prime Minister to accommodate his election rally in Ajmer in Rajasthan.

He replied said there was no pressure from anywhere. “There would not have been a delay of two-three hours but for the problem relating to electoral rolls in Telangana,” he said and added parties were free to complain to the Commission if somebody got a concession.

“It is the duty of the Commission to satisfy all the stakeholders. We will hold free, fair and credible elections which is our commitment and compulsion,” he said.

Earlier, he had said politicians and political parties make criticism and the Commission has no comments to make on that.

In the morning, Congress questioned the independence of the Commission in the wake of the change of timing of the press conference.

“Three facts- Draw your own conclusions. ECI announces a PC at 12.30 today (Saturday) to announce election dates to the 5 states. PM Modi is addressing a rally in Ajmer, Rajasthan at 1 p.m. today. ECI suddenly changes the time of announcement and PC to 3 p.m. Independence of ECI?,” Congress chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

Speaking in Kolkata, he said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is guilty of pressuring the EC to delay its press conference as he was scheduled to address a rally in Rajasthan’s Ajmer at 1 pm. The EC was made to wait for Modi’s rally.”

Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha also joined issues by tweeting: “Unfortunate that Election Commission postponed announcement of election dates in five states only to enable Modi to address his public meeting in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Very sad.”

Reacting to it, the Commission had told journalists, “Prime concern was for convenience of all of you media persons to reach in time at short notice of morning message and arranging logistics here.”

Earlier in the day, the Commission sent a message to media persons at 9.50 a.m. regarding the press conference at 12.30 p.m.

Almost after an hour, the reporters received another message that the timing of the press conference had been changed to 3 p.m.

–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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