National
Fraud allegations against Kerala CPI-M leader’s son triggers controversy
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 (IANS) A media report on alleged fraud committed by a top CPI-M leader’s son triggered a major controversy in Kerala, with the Congress-led opposition demanding that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan or the CPI-M leadership respond to the allegations, even as the ruling Left party denied there had been any wrongdoing.
According to a report in a leading vernacular daily, a Dubai-based company has approached the CPI-M politburo and alleged that the son of a very top Kerala CPI-M leader cheated them to the tune of Rs 13 crore last year.
The company has told the CPI-M politburo that if they do not take steps to ensure that the money is returned, they will start legal proceedings in Dubai, including approaching Interpol.
The allegations are regarding the elder son of CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Binoy V. Balakrishnan.
Addressing reporters in the state assembly, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said they want either Chief Minister Vijayan or the party to respond to the media report.
“We expect there will be a statement on it from either Vijayan or the party,” said Chennithala.
In Delhi, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in response to questions on the report on Wednesday said they have not received any complaint on the issue, but failed to respond to queries if they will find out if the report is true.
State BJP general secretary K. Surendran said the party has conducted its own probe and found out that “the news report is true” and they will pursue the matter.
“The CPI-M clearly states that not just party workers but also their immediate family members should be above board. This should reach its logical conclusion,” said Surendran.
The media report comes ahead of the CPI-M state party conference next month and the state assembly session that is about to begin.
Chief Minister Vijayan, who was in the assembly when TV channels started airing the news, later went to the state party headquarters and was engaged in close door discussions with CPI-M secretary Balakrishnan.
Speaking to media, Binoy said at the moment there is no case against him in Dubai.
“I have asked my manager in Dubai to see that he gets a certificate that there is no case against him. The moment I get it, I will intimate it to you (media). This is an old case of 2014 and everything has been settled. I do not know why this has surfaced now,” said Binoy.
Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, after his meeting with the Chief Minister, told the media that there is no case as reported in the media against the son of any party leader.
“At the moment there is no case against my son and he will himself tell you everything. The media should see that they report correct news,” said Balakrishnan.
In a three-page letter, dated January 5, H.I.A.Al Marzooqi, sponsor of the company, has said that he has started legal procedures against Binoy for the alleged fraud committed to the tune of Rs 13 crore. The letter is with the media.
–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.