Top News
Delhi government can’t shirk its responsibility of contributing to RRTS: SC
New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday told the Arvind Kejriwal government that it could not shirk its statutory responsibility of contributing its share of funds to Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project linking Delhi with Meerut.
The reaction of a bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Deepak Gupta came after the Delhi government told it that it did not have sufficient funds for the project involving Centre, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
The 82.15km RRTS corridor linking Delhi with Meerut is meant to decongest the national capital. The Centre has planned three RRTS corridors – Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurgaon-Alwar and Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat at an estimated cost of Rs 31,902 crore. The Delhi government has to chip in with Rs 1,100 crore over a period of four years which it wants the Centre to pay as it doesn’t have adequate funds.
The apex court has directed the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to convene a meeting involving Centre, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, to solve the problem within a week, and report back to the court.
The court also reminded the Delhi government that it can’t deny the people of Delhi rapid connectivity with Meerut. “Such projects can’t be at the mercy of any one government,” it said.
Friday’s hearing also saw Justice Mishra saying that initially, he had thought of staying in Delhi but changed his mind owing to toxic pollution and traffic congestion.
“Today, I was about to miss the swearing-in of the new judges”, Justice Mishra said, pointing to the terrible state of traffic congestion.
The court also asked Delhi government to state on record the schedule of the 3,000 buses that would be added to the city’s public transport system.
The court order came after Delhi government told it that 3,000 buses would be added to the public transport fleet by July 2019, said amicus curiae Aparajita Singh.
The court also gave Delhi government 10 days to come out with its parking policy which is being dealt with the Delhi government’s Transport ministry.
The court directed the listing of the matter for further hearing on February 1.
–IANS
pk-sd/prs
Top News
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.