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No injustice to any state in revenue allocation: Finance panel
New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) The 15th Finance Commission on Friday ruled out injustice to any state in the allocation from the divisible pool of central revenue and asserted that the north-south debate sought to be raised in the matter is unfounded.
The commission’s stand was stated in a meeting of its Chairman N.K Singh and members with Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu here, informed sources said.
The meeting came a day after the Pudducherry Chief Minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, and the Finance Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab met President Ram Nath Kovind and demanded amendments to the Terms of Reference of the 15th Finance Commission.
The sources said Naidu told the panel members that as Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), he thought it would be appropriate to talk to them about the principles followed by various commissions in the recent past and their thinking in the current context.
He brought to their notice the reports about reservations held by some states on certain aspects of the Terms of Reference of the commission and some even suggesting a north-south perspective.
N.K. Singh informed Naidu that their approach in determining the allocation of revenue between the Centre and the states and among the states would be broadly guided by parameters such as ensuring macro-economic stability, rewarding states for past performances, incentivising future performance, specific needs of states and the Centre, and right of citizens for equal entitlements.
The commission head explained that the Terms of Reference were only a broad guidance and the commission was at liberty in finalising the specific criteria and weightage for each of the parameters, after holding discussions with the states.
Elaborating, he said the 14th Finance Commission was asked to go by the 1971 Population Census but it took into consideration the 2011 Census, thereby rewarding those who did well in population control.
He said the Terms of Reference suggested a broad set of nine indicators, including “efforts and progress made in moving towards replacement rate of population growth” to reward performing states.
The sources said Naidu suggested to the commission to further the cause of economic unity and include performance, reforms, specific needs of the states and the Centre and the problems of farm sector within the ambit of the Terms of Reference.
Naidu stressed that the commission should do the needful to make agriculture sustainable through appropriate recommendations and providing resources for necessary infrastructure.
The commission is to submit its report on determining the transfer of revenue and allocation of grants-in-aid to the states by April 1, 2019. Its recommendations will be applicable for 2021-22 to 2022-27.
The Finance Ministers submitted a memorandum to the President on Thursday, saying that the Terms of Reference violate the federal principle, erode the autonomy of states and bring significant financial hardship.
The southern states had earlier protested that they would lose out because of the commission’s decision to use the 2011 population census instead of 1971 as a basis for devolution of taxes from the central government to the states, as they had successfully controlled their populations.
–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.