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Odisha CM stresses on cash for social assistance beneficiaries

Published

7 years ago

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Bhubaneswar, Dec 7 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday urged the Centre not to impose the bank payment system on pension disbursement under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) but allow his government to disburse the money in cash.

“In view of special circumstances prevailing in Odisha, especially the fragile nature of the network of financial institutions and telecommunications, I firmly believe that disbursement of pensions in cash as per convenience and choice of beneficiaries is in their best interest,” Patnaik said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Any imposition of the system of bank payments will cause undue and unavoidable hardship to the vulnerable beneficiaries, he added.

Patnaik claimed that Odisha, according to the NSAP guidelines, has been disbursing pensions in cash on a fixed day (15th of every month, even if it’s a holiday) at the gram panchayat and urban local bodies headquarters in an open and transparent manner.

This was done in view of the difficulties faced in accessing banking services in the state, he said.

“Regular cash disbursement on a fixed day of the month entails burden on state administration but ensures the desired outcome of providing social security to the most vulnerable sections of population. The state is discharging its responsibility in the interest of the beneficiaries,” the Chief Minister said.

He said 4,376 gram panchayats in Odisha had no banking facilities and existing banks find it difficult to take on the burden of a large number of pensioners due to staff shortage.

“Payment of pensions in bank accounts will not serve the desired purpose due to difficulties in withdrawing money from banks. In view of their impecunious condition, pensioners need cash urgently to meet their daily needs and not deposits in their bank accounts. Cash for disbursement of pension ensures achievement of the basic objective of social security for the vulnerable pensioners,” he added.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

Published

1 month ago

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September 19, 2024

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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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