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Rawat ignores BJP MLAs in key Uttarakhand appointments
Dehradun, March 8 (IANS) Ignoring BJP MLAs, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has given top posts in various government corporations and bodies to 19 BJP leaders before the election code of conduct comes into effect.
A list released by the Chief Minister’s office on Thursday included only two prominent state leaders, Balraj Passi and Jyoti Prasad Gairola, have been given posts that accord them Cabinet ranks, BJP sources said.
The remaining 17 party leaders have been given posts equivalent to the minister of state rank, they said. Last year, the Chief Minister had given 14 such posts to party leaders.
The list has left party MLAs sulking, as many as 45 of whom haven’t found a place in the state Cabinet.
The BJP has a brute strength of 57 MLAs in the 70-member state Assembly with 10 serving in the council of the ministers.
State BJP President Ajay Bhatt has assured that one more such list may come in the days ahead. “Either now or after the elections, you may see one more list,” said Bhatt.
Bhatt also assured that the issue of appointing party MLAs to such posts would be discussed soon.
In the past, MLAs who could not be accomodated in the Cabinet, were appeased with their appointment as parliamentary secretaries. The post, attached to a government department, has the rank of Minister of State alongwith the same entitlements.
However, with the legal wrangling over appointment of MLAs as parliamentary secretaries in some states, the Uttarakhand government is avoiding awarding it to party MLAs.
Significantly, two berths in the state cabinet are still vacant.
Former Speaker and 8-time MLA Harbans Kapoor, four-time MLAs Munna Singh Chauhan and Harbhajan Singh Cheema, former state party chief Bishan Singh Chufal, former cabinet minister Bansidhar Bhagat are all reportedly miffed over being ignored in the appointments.
They are all, however, guarded in their comments. “I will do justice to any responsibility that comes to me. But then if a person has the zeal to work, he does not need any responsibility,” said Cheema, an MLA from Kashipur.
Kapoor, an MLA from Dehradun city, said: “I am doing my job but I am also ready to take any responsibility if the top leadership decides so.”
The Chief Minister is reportedly not too keen to placate all the MLAs.
“There are 47 MLAs who have not got any responsibility so far. We cannot make everybody happy as the posts are few,” said a top BJP leader.
–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
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.