National
Calcutta HC sets aside Centre’s decision on BCPL’s strategic sale
Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court has set aside the Central government’s decision on strategic sale of the Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BCPL) and the company will inform the government about it this week so it decide the next step, an official said on Wednesday.
BCPL’s Managing Director and Director (Finance) P.M. Chandriah said: “We will communicate the centre for the court’s order by this week to take the decision on the future course of action.”
Bengal Chemical Sramik Karmachari Union had challenged the decision of strategic sale of BCPL taken by the Central government.
In its affidavit, the government, explaining the rationale for its decision, stated that the liabilities of BCPL would be met out by the sale of its surplus land. Thereafter, there will be a sale of the shareholding of BCPL with a transfer of management of to a strategic buyer.
In such process, the Central Government seeks to achieve the basic objective of not doing business in a non-priority sector, it said.
But the court did not agree.
“..the decision of the Central Government based on the recommendations of NITI Aayog to consider BCPL as falling under the non-priority sector cannot be sustained. The consequent decision of undertaking a strategic sale of BCPL which is based upon the classification of BCPL under the non-priority sector is also vitiated.
“…the second issue is, therefore, answered by setting aside the decision of the Central Government to undertake a strategic sale of BCPL,” ruled Justice Debangshu Basak, adding that citizens must have access to affordable health care.
The High Court also observed affordable health care would necessarily bring within its wake availability of affordable medicines and a Public Sector Undertaking manufacturing generic medicine would, therefore, “be better placed and equipped to provide such a service”.
The order also said the financial performance of BCPL started improving since 2014 and it has started posting cash profits for the year 2014-2015 onwards.
“The financial results placed before the Court in respect of BCPL from 2014 onwards show that BCPL is posting cash profits. Its negative net worth is yet to be wiped out. However, the same does not necessarily lead one to infer that BCPL would not be in a position to wipe out its negative net worth given a chance,” said the court.
The Central Government is “not claiming that, the products manufactured by BCPL is obsolete or does not have market”, it added.
The company has surplus land and such land can be put to use in terms of Katoch Committee Report, the order added.
–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.