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Auction of gas distribution license for 100 more cities soon
New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) The Indian petroleum downstream regulator will begin the process of auctioning gas distribution licenses for 100 cities this month, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday.
Addressing industry chamber Ficci on the domestic production potential of hydrocarbons, he said the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), has already given away gas distribution licenses for 80 cities, while the proposed 100 more would help boost gas consumption in the country towards increasing share of the clean fuel in the energy mix to 15 per cent in the next decade, from the 6.5 per cent at present.
In line with this objective, the government also plans to expand pipelines to secure gas supplies to the country’s northeast region, which holds rich hydrocarbon reserves but lacks infrastructure, the Minister said.
“A consortium of five PSUs (public sector undertakings) have proposed to bring a gas pipeline to the northeast region and have soought the PNGRB’s permission for the project,” he said.
The PSUs are together planning to build a gas grid in the northeast and link it to the Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline, currently being built by GAIL, he added.
Pradhan also said that in a bid to boost crude oil production from mature fields, the government will soon unveil an Enhanced Oil Recovery policy incentivising such activity, as well for exploration and production (E&P) from challenging deep sea fields.
Noting the marketing and pricing freedom allowed to producers through policy reforms in this area, the Minister, however, cautioned against the idea of an independent upstream regulator, saying the Indian E&P sector is not yet mature enough.
“We have a democratic mechanism in India and everything is under scrutiny,” he said with reference to the idea of an independent regulator, adding that it is a different situation compared to an economic giant like China which lacked press and democratic freedoms.
–IANS
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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.