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Demands for Gadkari’s resignation disrupt Rajya Sabha
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was stalled on Friday as opposition parties led by the Congress demanded the resignation of union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for alleged irregularities in a company owned by him.
A report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has named Gadkari as one of the “promoters and/or directors” of Purti Sakhar Karkhana Ltd (PSKL) that was sanctioned a loan of Rs.84.12 crore by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency in violation of guidelines.
Apart from a few zero hour mentions, and the routine tabling of papers, the house could not take up any business – not even the private members’ business scheduled for the day.
It faced several adjournments before being finally adjourned for the day at 3.30 p.m., as the opposition demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress deputy leader Anand Sharma slammed the ruling BJP, saying when they were in opposition they disrupted the house several times over allegations of corruption.
“The prime minister has to come to the house… We will not accept anything else. He goes all over the world abusing and vilifying all his predecessors. We will ensure accountability,” Sharma said.
“He goes as the prime minister, on the expenditure of public exchequer and then becomes a ‘pracharak’ for his party,” he said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready for a discussion while Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien urged members to follow procedures and give a notice. But the opposition refused to relent.
Congress members trooped near the chairman’s podium several times through the day and shouted slogans demanding Gadkari’s resignation.
The war of words between the ruling and the opposition benches continued.
Minister Naqvi slammed the Congress for making “baseless allegations”. “We have said we have zero tolerance for corruption… We are ready to discuss corruption, the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) will examine the CAG report.”
“The allegations are baseless, we have the CAG report,” he added.
The issue was raised earlier in the day by Congress MP Shantaram Naik, who said the minister must resign.
“Opposition parties demanded resignation of our ministers time to time… now Nitin Gadkari has to resign,” said Naik.
He said the CAG has found that PSKL did not comply with the conditions for interest subsidy which stipulated that the renewable energy project was to operate for a minimum of 10 years after its completion.
The upper house saw two adjournments during zero hour and three during question hour when Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till 2.30 p.m., unable to take up a single question.
At 2.30 p.m., the protests continued and the house saw another hour-long adjournment before being adjourned for the day a little after it reassembled at 3.30 p.m.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, speaking on the issue earlier, said: “This is not a question of allegation against a member. It is a CAG report… Based on CAG reports number of heads have rolled earlier.”
“The BJP government inside and outside the house is talking about transparency and corruption. Also in the same breath it is talking about stains (of corruption) during UPA government.
“Here there is a proven case against a minister who had to resign because of the same reason as president of BJP… the party may maintain he did not resign… He has been indicted he cannot continue as minister even for a day,” said Azad.
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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.
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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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