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Centre has moral obligation to do justice to Andhra: Chandrababu (Lead)
Amaravati, March 7 (IANS) TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reiterated that the Centre has a moral responsibility to fulfil the promises made to his state in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament.
Naidu was responding to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address in the assembly.
Amid speculation that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would break away from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over non-fulfilment of the demand of grant of Special Category Status (SCS), Naidu attacked the Centre but did not announce any major political decision.
Grant of special status to a state brings more central assistance for developmental works along with incentives for its industrial promotion.
In his more than two-and-half-hour statement, he listed all the assurances pending implementation by the Centre and said the state would have progressed more had there been cooperation from the central government as promised.
The Chief Minister asserted that he would not compromise on the interests of the state and that the fight to mount pressure on the Centre would continue.
Naidu denied the charge that Utilisation Certificates (UCs) were not provided for the funds released by the Centre for various schemes and projects.
He said UCs were furnished for all the funds, except for some heads under the Polavaram Multipurpose Irrigation Project, which did not require UCs.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said: “During the 2014 election campaign, Modi had assured that if voted to power, the BJP would grant special category status to AP for 10 years, as against five years assured by the previous UPA government. Why has he forgotten his promise after becoming Prime Minister?”
He also accused the Congress party of killing the mother (undivided Andhra Pradesh) to give birth to a baby (Telangana).
Naidu explained to the assembly that he had accepted the Centre’s offer of special economic assistance package in lieu of Special Category Status in September 2016, as the Centre had promised to extend all the benefits of special status through the package.
“But, we have got virtually nothing under the package in the one-and-half years. On the other hand, the Centre has extended certain benefits to the already existing Special Category States like reimbursement of CGST and IGST, besides 90 per cent grant for externally-aided projects for a period of 10 years,” he said.
Interestingly, the BJP legislators adopted a soft approach towards Naidu, assuring him that they would take up with the Centre the pending issues.
Vishnu Kumar Raju of the BJP assured Naidu that he would impress upon the Centre to give the state what is due to it.
“My wife also questions me why the Centre is not granting special status to Andhra,” he told the assembly.
Responding to Chandrababu Naidu’s mention that the Centre had issued orders for extension of tax reimbursement under the special status clause to northeastern states, Raju said the order pertained to old dues and was not prospective in effect.
–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.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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