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Mining companies should start operations soon: Goa CM
Panaji: Mining companies in Goa should resume operations as soon as possible, failing which they would be compelled to commence mining, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Monday.
“My appeal to mine owners is that they should start mining business from this year itself. The government will give full support. If they still fail, I will order them to do so, if needed,” Parsekar said at a function organised by Vedanta Resources to mark resumption of the company’s mining operations at the Codli lease, around 50 km from Panaji.
Mining in Goa was stopped both by the state government as well as the central government in 2012 following a Rs.35,000 crore illegal mining scam which was unearthed by a judicial commission appointed by the union mines ministry, before the Supreme Court eventually banned all mining activity in the same year and instituted a probe by its own Empowered Committee.
The ban was eventually lifted last year, but mining still could not be restarted because of pending green clearances.
From the 80-plus mining leases, which have been renewed by the state government since the ban, Vedanta Resource’s Sesa Iron ore mining company is the first outfit to restart mining operations.
Resumption of mining in Goa, Parsekar said, was akin to the arrival of the ‘Achche Din’ or ‘Good Days’ promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign.
“I feel achche din have started. After the ban, mining activities were stopped for nearly three years in Goa.
“The government tried to give some relief to truck owners by giving the (financial) packages and also mediated with banks to give some relief as far as loans were concerned. But it was not a permanent solution. Mining should start now,” Parsekar said.
“We have done all what we could to restart mining and will continue to do whatever is required. I had given a date of October to restart mining and Vedanta has surprised me by reopening two months earlier,” he said.
“I know prices of iron ore have decreased in international market and as a result the government has reduced export duty from 30 percent to 10 percent. But a businessman never stops running a business even if margin is reduced.”
Chief executive officer of Sesa Iron Ore R. Kishor Kumar, who was present at the function, said: “Due to a fall in iron ore prices in international market, doubts were raised whether mining will resume in Goa or not. We want to put end to these doubts.”
“The resumption of mining will resume employment for many mining-dependent people, the government will benefit from increased revenues and communities will be empowered,” Kumar 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.