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Centre for single tribunal to resolve water disputes (Lead)
Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) The Central government is in favour of a single tribunal for speedy settlement of inter-state water disputes, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Arjun Ram Meghwal said here on Monday.
The first conference of five eastern states – Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh – was held here on Monday with the objective to resolve the water disputes among these states.
“Instead of having state-wise multiple tribunals, the Centre is proposing for a single tribunal so that inter-state water disputes can be settled at the earliest. The decision of the single tribunal should also be mandatory,” said Meghwal.
According to him, water disputes between the five states were pending for a long time and the development of irrigation projects was not progressing on the expected lines.
“We had asked the respective states to submit their agenda and subsequently, we have examined their proposals and prepared a detailed note on that. We have discussed all the issues in detail.”
He said the Supreme Court has clearly said water is part of “common pool resources” and is considered a national asset.
In fact, the Central government introduced the Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha in March 2017 and it proposes a Single Standing Tribunal (with multiple benches) instead of the existing multiple tribunals, which shall consist of one Chairperson, one Vice Chairperson and not more than six other members.
Meghwal focused on the necessity to rejuvenate irrigation in this region, highlighting the requirement of upgrading the irrigation facility in every state to achieve greater production of food crops.
He also pointed out that the meeting is going to bridge the gap between the states so far as water sharing issues are concerned.
According to officials, the conference will facilitate in developing the ultimate irrigation potential of eastern India from the present 22 per cent by ensuring speedy development of water resources projects.
Bihar raised the issues of the inter-linking of rivers, siltation in the Ganga, flood and drainage problems while Jharkhand moved the issues related to the inter-state links and revision of the Mayurakshi-Siddheswari-Noonbeel agreement.
West Bengal spoke about the non-availability of Central funds under fund management, anti-erosion work on the banks of the Ganga and Bhagirathi rivers and Chhattisgarh raised various projects in the Mahanadi and Godavari basins.
Odisha raised the issues of inter-state links and various other projects in the Mahanadi and Subarnarekha basins.
–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.