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Italy’s President asks former IMF economist to form government (Lead)

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Rome, May 28 (IANS) Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday asked a former economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to form the government in a bid to end a political stalemate that has persisted in the Mediterranean country since elections two months ago produced a hung Parliament.

Mattarella’s formal request to Carlo Cottarelli came amid calls from populist and anti-establishment leaders for the President to be impeached for having rejected the candidacy of a eurosceptic as Finance Minister, the BBC reported.

Italy, the eurozone’s fourth biggest economy, has been without a government since elections in March because no political group could form a majority.

Two of the big winners from the vote — populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and the far-right League party — attempted to join forces but abandoned efforts after their nomination for Finance Minister, 81-year-old Paolo Savona, was shot down by Mattarella.

The Secretary-General of the presidency, Ugo Zampetti, read out the brief announcement of Mattarella’s request, which mentioned that Cottarelli had accepted, albeit with reservations.

Both the M5S and the League, as well as former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s right wing-populist Forza Italia, have said they would not vote for Cottarelli, making his eventual ascension to the premiership unlikely, as he requires substantial parliamentary backing in order to take up the post.

Cottarelli currently serves as Director of the Italian Public Accounts Observatory (OCPI) at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.

In 2013, he was appointed by then Prime Minister Enrico Letta to lead a technocratic commission overseeing steep budget cuts and the implementation of a strict austerity plan, which earned him the nickname “Mr Scissors”.

He has been one of the most prominent critics of the government deal signed between the M5S and the League, especially of its economic provisions related to welfare programmes for low-income families.

–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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