National
Congress promises loan waiver, Patidar quota in Gujarat poll manifesto
Gandhinagar, Dec 4 (IANS) The Congress on Monday issued its poll manifesto for the Gujarat assembly polls, promising debt waiver for state farmers and an assurance on reservation for the Patidars.
In case the Congress returns to power, farmers’ debts will be waived and Minimum Support Price of farm produce at taluka level declared even before sowing starts, the party promised in the manifesto, which was released by the Congress state unit.
The Congress promised that without affecting the present 49 per cent reservation for scheduled castes and tribes as well as Other backward classes, the party’s government will introduce a bill in the assembly at the earliest under Article 46 of the Constitution.
“The communities specified under Article 46 but which have not received any benefit under relevant laws will be given equal opportunities for education and economic development. The rights and privileges enjoyed by the OBCs will be extended to the Extremely Backward Classes category,” the party said.
“In the next three years, the Congress government will complete all remaining works of micro network the Narmada canal. The farmers will be supplied 16 hours of daytime electricity and reduced connection charges. Farmers will be given three-phase electricity connections of up to two horse power connections,” the manifesto said.
“Today, the people of Gujarat are living in constant fear and they cannot express themselves. We want to resurrect their trust in the government through this manifesto, which not only looks to improve the state Gross Domestic Product but also the Human Development Index. The Congress is the only hope for that to happen,” Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Bharatsinh Solanki told the media here.
He said the Congress will revert amendments/changes brought in by the Bharatiya Janata Party government in land acquisition laws brought in by the then United Progressive Alliance government in 2013.
Besides, the Goods and Services Tax on agricultural equipment, inputs and produce will be exempted, the opposition party promised.
The Congress said a giant statue of Bhim Rao Ambedkar would be installed in the Gulf of Cambay (Khambhat), in a bid to appease the Scheduled Castes. Unutilised government surplus land will be alloted to landless SC families, the party said.
“There’s a huge backlog of vacancies in government offices. The Congress will ensure filling of vacancies within six months. The Congress government will also abolish contractual system, fixed-salary jobs and regularised them all.”
The Congress manifesto promised to make the state’s women feel safer and secure.
“One-stop crisis centres will be set up in all districts to prevent violence against women. Women protection officers up to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police will be appointed in each districts. The number of women police stations will be increased.”
It also promised 25 lakh houses in five years under Indira Awas Yojana for the rural and urban poor and Rajeev Gandhi Awas Yojana for the urban lower and middle income groups.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
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.