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Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day (Lead)
New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday amid ruckus by the opposition over frauds in the public sector banks (PSBs), in the backdrop of the latest Rs 12,600 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam involving diamontaire Nirav Modi.
As the upper House was reconvened at 2 p.m. after two earlier adjournments, the opposition MPs were on their feet and many of them trooped to the space near the Chair’s podium, shouting slogans “Nirav Modi ko wapas lao (Bring Nirav Modi back)”.
Nirav Modi of the Gitanjali Gems was photographed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland in January. The businessman, however, fled India just few days before the PNB scam came to light.
The government has denied that Nirav Modi was part of the official delegation that went with the Prime Minister to Davos.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked the agitating members to return to their seats but they kept shouting slogans.
On the other side of the podium, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MPs also resumed their protest over alleged “injustice” to Andhra Pradesh in Telangana’s comparison and demanded special financial package from the Centre for their state that was bifurcated into Andhra and Telangana in 2014.
Kurien said that he was ready to allow a short duration discussion on the PSB frauds and asked Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to start the discussion. However, Azad said over the din that discussion could be resumed only if the other parties agreed to it.
“Prime Minister Modi had promised to bring back black money. The black money hasn’t come but the white money has certainly flown out of the country,” Azad said.
Amid the din, Kurien adjourned the House for the day.
Earlier in the morning as soon as the House met for the day, opposition MPs protested against the multi-crore PNB scam.
AChairman M. Venkaiah Naidu first adjourned the House for 10 minutes, but as soon as it reconvened at 11.20 a.m., the scene was no different.
Naidu asked the agitating members to return to their seats, saying all the matters raised by them would be discussed under appropriate rules. However, the MPs refused to relent.
He then adjourned the House till 2 pm.
A host of opposition leaders including Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad, Samajwadi Party’s Naresh Agarwal and Trinamool Congress’ Sukhendu Shekhar Roy had given notice to discuss the PNB scam under Rule 267 by suspending all the listed business for the day.
From the BJP side, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had given 267 notice to discuss about relatives of former Union Ministers found indulged in scams.
The Chair rejected both sides’ notices and asked them to raise the issues under other relevant rules.
–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.