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Bengal SEC fixes April 23 for filing of panchayat poll nominations (Second Lead)

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Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) Acting on a Calcutta High Court order, the West Bengal State Election Commission on Saturday fixed April 23 as the extended deadline for filing of nomination papers for the coming panchayat polls in the state, an official notification said.

According to the notification, nominations can be filed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday.

The commission also fixed April 25 for scrutiny of fresh nominations and April 28 as the last date for withdrawal of candidatures.

The SEC, however, has not issued the fresh polling dates. The panchayat elections were originally scheduled for May 1, 3, and 5, with counting of votes fixed for May 8.

The fresh notification was issued following the High Court order of April 20 to the SEC to extend the deadline for filing of nominations in consultation with the state government and other important stakeholders and finalise the new election schedule.

Earlier in day, Election Commissioner Amarendra Kumar Singh convened a meeting with various political parties and state’s representatives on the extension of deadline for filing nominations.

“We do not want the elections to happen during too much heat or in the rainy season. We do not want the elections to be held in Ramadan month either. It should be completed as soon as possible. However, we do not have any objection if one day of polling falls within the month of Ramadan,” ruling Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said after meeting the SEC.

A five-member delegation of the state BJP initially boycotted the meeting and accusing the poll panel of not allowing more than two of its leaders to talk to the Election Commissioner in spite of prior intimation and filed a complaint with the High Court Register General.

The opposition party alleged that the state government was putting pressure on the SEC to conduct polling in one day.

Later in the evening, a two-member team led by BJP leader Mukul Roy met the Election Commissioner and appealed him for two-phased polling.

“We told him that the state government does not have sufficient police personnel to conduct the polling in one day and asked him to chose two days for polling. We also asked him to deploy central paramilitary forces during the polling days to ensure free and fair elections,” Roy said.

The CPI-M also asked the SEC to ensure adequate security on the day of filing of fresh nominations and said the party will move court in case of violence or disruptions in the process.

The opposition BJP, CPI-M, Congress and PDS had moved the court, accusing Trinamool of unleashing massive pre-poll violence against their party workers to prevent them from filing nominations ever since the poll process began on April 2.

Justice Subrata Talukdar on Friday quashed the SEC’s April 10 order that had cancelled the extension of date for filing of nominations, which the poll panel announced on April 9 night, directing it to issue a fresh extended deadline for filing of nominations in consultation with the state government and other stakeholders.

–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

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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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