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‘Hub and spoke’ Kerala model a cropper: CAG

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Thiruvananthapuram: The much publicised ‘hub and spoke’ Kerala model for IT development has turned a cropper, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said.

It was learnt from the report, which was tabled in Kerala assembly on Monday (June 30) and made available on Thursday, that 80.76 percent of the built up area at seven locations remained unallocated as the land acquired was mainly in remote localities and not suitable for IT purposes.

Speaking to IANS on Thursday, Kerala IT secretary P.H. Kurian said that they are doing their best to showcase these locations to prospective investors.

The CAG audit reports pointed out that it was as per the IT Policy 2007 that envisaged creation of a ‘hub and spoke model’ of IT development with two large IT parks at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi functioning as the hub for smaller IT parks in other parts of the state.

The CAG report said that KSITL acquired 402.65 acres of land at seven different places in the state to set up the ‘hub and spoke’ model for IT development.

The IT Policy 2007 came when V.S. Achuthanandan-ruled Left government was in office from 2006-11.

Incidentally, it was the state-owned Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITL), that was responsible for the development of IT cities in the public private partnership model and had set up these new IT parks under the ‘hub and spoke’ model.

“The land acquired was mainly in remote localities and was not suitable for IT purpose. As a result 320.66 acres of land remained unalloted till-November 2014,” said the CAG report.

Incidentally, the state government incurred a cost of Rs.229.88 crore for acquisition of land and for developing infrastructure facilities in these seven locations.

The seven locations include Kundara (Kollam district),Ambalappuzha and Cherthala (both in Alappuzha district), Koratty (Ernakulam), Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod.

Of these, at Amabalapuzha, Kannur and Kasargod, the land has been acquired, while at the other places, the percentage of idling of land was as high as 77.34 percent.

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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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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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