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SC slams Centre, says can’t regularise illegal construction

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New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Central government for extending protection to unauthorised constructions, saying it cannot regularise something which is illegal.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta asked the Central government about its plan for unauthorised construction for commercial activities, while observing that those who have committed illegalities cannot be protected just because they have invested money.

“You (the government) cannot regularise something which is totally not in accordance with law. You can regularise those which are in accordance with law,” it said after the government said it has been planning to regularise the unauthorised colonies.

It also said the government was legalising the illegalities perpetuated so far by protecting illegal construction and slammed it for protecting the traders holding the 186 lakh people of Delhi to ransom by their agitation against the sealing drive.

“Illegalities have been perpetuated and are now being legalised… this is destruction.

“These people (traders) are saying that we have done something illegal, but please protect us. Dharnas by the traders are admission of their guilt. Innocent people do not go on dharnas… What can be more arbitrary than this.”

“You (Centre) have to realise that people of Delhi are important, whether you are the Delhi Development Authority, the government, the municipal corporation or any other agency,” the court said.

The court also asked the government about its plan regarding rampant encroachment in the city and in the unauthorised colonies. There were no green areas, sewage, drainage facilities, parking and the innocent citizens were suffering due to all this, it said.

“There will be eight to 10 lakh traders in Delhi and to protect them you are holding 186 lakh people to ransom. It cannot be done.

“At Ghazipur and Bhalswa, you have garbage pile up of 60 metres. You have water shortage, huge traffic problem, pollution. Pavements are encroached upon, roads have become parking space… That’s the hard reality,” said the court.

Stressing that the government has not done anything for the past 10 years to deal with the situation, the court asked it to send a tough message.

“The culture and heritage will go. Nothing will be left for the future if this is not done,” the court said.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General A.N.S. Nadkrani, appearing for the Central government, said that as per 2012 figure, there were around 895 unauthorised colonies having built up area of more than 50 per cent.

The bench was hearing pleas relating to the validity of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006 and subsequent legislations, which protect unauthorised construction from being sealed in Delhi.

In December last year, while expressing concern over rampant illegal construction in Delhi, the court said that the authorities do not appear to have carried out their statutory duties in preventing illegal construction and ordered restoration of its 2006 monitoring committee to identify and seal such offending structures.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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