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Rs.60,000 crore metal trading industry to desert Mumbai: Official
Mumbai: Fed up of what they call government’s “indifferent attitude”, the Rs.60,000 crore per annum metal trading industry headquartered in Mumbai has decided to desert Maharashtra for Gujarat, a top official said here on Friday.
Metal and Stainless Steel Merchants Association (MSSMA) secretary Jitendra Shah said that since past few months, the MSSMA has been in communication with the Gujarat and Rajasthan governments.
“The Adani Group has come up with a very attractive proposal to give us full developed infrastructure and land for offices and residences on around 75 acres near Gandhinagar (in Gujarat), besides more for our warehouses,” Shah told IANS.
Apparently rattled by the prospects of an important chunk of Mumbai’s business market moving out of the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has summoned MSSMA for a meeting early next week to thrash out the issues.
Earlier, the government had accused the MSSMA of arm-twisting tactics as their members had defaulted on over Rs.10,000 crore by way of various taxes.
Shah challenged the allegations claiming that a RTI query has revealed an outstanding of around Rs.2,000 crore, of which 50 percent has been recovered and the rest is under dispute. “Where did they get the figure of Rs.10,000 crore?” he demanded to know.
The MSSMA and the state government have locked horns with each other over the past few years with the former demanding better working conditions and proper infrastructure as it has become difficult to operate from cramped areas of south Mumbai, which lacks even clean public toilets.
“We have asked them to provide us around 100 acres of land anywhere around Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, or Navi Mumbai with full infrastructure to enable us to relocate. More than 90 percent of India’s metal and stainless steel is routed through our 2,200 registered members and the rest through unregistered operators,” he said.
In last Saturday’s AGM, the members vociferously demanded that the Adani Group’s offer should be accepted and preparations to shift out of Mumbai – where it is centred in Khetwadi locality of south Mumbai – must begin forthwith.
Among other things, the Adani Group has offered shops, flats, warehouses of various sizes and budgets with full infrastructure and amenities comparable to a township to lure the country’s biggest and only metal and stainless steel markets there.
“Depending on the outcome of our meeting with the chief minister next week, we shall take the final call to ask our members submit their individual requirements which we shall provide to Adani Group and initiate the shifting process within a year or so,” Shah said.
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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.