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Let experts handle farm bail-out package: Maharashtra agrarian expert

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Nagpur, Dec 29 (IANS) A top Maharashtra agrarian expert on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi “to appoint experts and knowledgeable persons” to handle the proposed bail-out package for farmers being considered by the NDA government.

“The team drafting the proposed farm relief initiative — Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, or the babus in Niti Aayog — does not have any knowledge of the existing rural distress,” said Vasantrao Naik Swavalamban Mission Chairman Kishore Tiwari.

In a sharp statement, while welcoming the government’s proposal for a new package to bring relief to the agrarian sector before the end of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Tiwari said Modi should follow the steps of Telangana and Jharkhand governments in this regard.

He said the voters in the five states which the BJP lost have given a clear “wake-up call” and expressed their anger over the anti-farmer policies of the NDA vis-a-vis the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) headed by K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana.

“The Prime Minister should immediately appoint a ‘knowledgeable’ agriculture minister before implementing the upcoming new farmers bail-out package, in consultation with grassroots activists working among farmers,” Tiwari said.

He also sought direct cash subsidy of Rs 5,000/acre in crop season to all farmers in rain-fed areas besides fulfilling Modi’s own 2014 poll-promises like unconditional loan waiver, protected irrigation facility, subsidised foodgrains, free healthcare, monthly pension to aged farmers.

“All crop loans must be given a one-time blanket waiver, including from micro-finance companies and private money-lenders, so farmers can make a fresh start on a clean slat and fresh crop loans upto 50 per cent of the land prices must be extended to the farmers,” Tiwari urged.

The VNSSM chief sought universal reforms in the existing crop insurance schemes which should be implemented at the village level and damage assessments as conducted by the local Gram Sabha to benefit the genuinely distressed sections of farmers.

Incidentally, Tiwari, who enjoys a Ministerial status in Maharashtra, kicked up a major controversy earlier this month when he demanded that the BJP should get rid of both Modi and Shah if it wanted to win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

He also followed up with a letter to the RSS top brass demanding that they should replace Modi with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as the face of the party going to the crucial elections early 2019, though Shah ruled out any such possibility last week in Mumbai.

–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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