Top News
Gujarat Congress protests disqualification of MLA convicted in mining case
Ahmedabad, March 6 (IANS) The opposition Congress in Gujarat staged statewide demonstrations on Wednesday in protest against disqualification of its legislator Bhagwanbhai Barad, who has been convicted in an old illegal mining case, accusing the BJP of acting in a partisan manner.
State Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi disqualified Barad, an MLA from Talala constituency in Junagadh district in Saurashtra region, after he was convicted in a 1995 case on March 1.
A court in Sutrapada in the district found him guilty of illegally mining limestone mineral worth over Rs 250 crore from “gauchar” (pastoral) land of Sutrapada town.
While sentencing Barad to 32 months in jail, the court also granted the MLA bail the same day and permitted him to move higher courts to appeal against the verdict.
State Congress chief spokesperson Manish Doshi told IANS: “Not only statewide demonstrations, the Congress would not take this lying down and also fight out legally. We would expose the double standards of the BJP. There are several tainted leaders in the ruling party but nothing happens to them.”
He said the court gave Bhagwan Barad time to move the higher courts and action was taken against him before he did so.
The Office of the Speaker, however, cited a Supreme Court judgment of July 2013 in the notification it issued disqualifying Barad as the MLA.
The apex court had struck down Section 8(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, which allowed MLAs or members of Parliament three months’ time to move higher courts to seek stay on the conviction. The section gave protection against immediate disqualification.
With the disqualification of Barad, the Congress strength in the Gujarat stands at 74 in the 182-member Assembly.
–IANS
desai/nir
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.