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FM skips defence in budget speech, around 10 percent hike in allocation

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ArunNew Delhi:For the first time in recent memory, there was no mention of defence in the budget for 2016-17 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday, allocating Rs. 2,49,099 crore, 12.59 percent of the total, for the sector.

An allocation of Rs.82,332.66 crore has been made for for defence pensionsioners and this will also cover the payouts under the One Rank One Pension scheme.

The allocation marks around 10 percent increase over the revised estimate of 2015-16, which was Rs. 2,24,636 crore.

Of the Rs.2,49,099 crore allocated, Rs.1,62,759 crore is for revenue expenditure which includes provision towards ordinance factories, R&D, DGQA, Rashtriya Rifles, Military Farms, ECHS and NCC.

Capital expenditure has been pegged at Rs.86,340 crore.

Defence expert and Director of Society for Policy Study C. Uday Bhaskar said it was “intriguing” that the finance minister did not refer to defence in his budget.

“This is very intriguing this is first time in 30 years we have not had one reference in finance minister’s speech. Usually there is a mention,” Bhaskar told IANS.

“It was an intriguing departure that the finance minister’s speech did not contain this mandatory reference,” he said.

The defence expert quoted figures from the previous year budget in this regard.

“In financial year 2015-16,the budget estimate was Rs.3,10,079 crore and the revised estimate was Rs.2,93,579 crore. So, almost Rs.16,000 crore was unutilised. Similarly, in the capital component, the budget estimate was Rs.98,175 crore and the revised estimate was Rs.85,112 crore, which means around Rs. 13,000 crore was returned,” he said.

“This may have been done to maintain the fiscal deficit. This will, however, have an adverse effect on modernisation of the forces,” he said.

Bhaskar also felt that the increased allocation for the home ministry meant the government is focusing on shifting to internal security.

 

 

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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

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