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J&K asks SC to stay NGT proceedings on Vaishno Devi mule owners’ rehabilitation
New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear, on May 30, a plea filed by the Jammu and Kashmir government seeking direction to stay proceedings pending before the NGT regarding rehabilitation plan for people engaged in carrying pilgrims on horses and mules which have been barred from plying from Katra to the hilltop Vaishno Devi shrine.
A bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar posted the matter for Wednesday after Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh and advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for the state government, mentioned the matter before it for urgent hearing.
Referring to various orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Jammu and Kashmir said that it directed the state to formulate and implement a rehabilitation plan for mule owners.
However, the state, in its plea before the apex court, said that it had informed the NGT that the draft rehabilitation policy has been submitted to the state cabinet as required, but it could not be taken up due to the pending cabinet reshuffle.
“Judicial propriety demands that once this court (apex court) is seized of a matter and is passing directions and making suggestions on the very same subject matter i.e. the holding of meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee in the matter relating to the rehabilitation policy for mule operators, the NGT should not have proceeded ahead with the matter and should have adjourned the matter till disposal of the present civil appeal,” said the plea.
Seeking stay of proceedings pending before the NGT till the top court decides the matter, the plea added: “An anomalous and conflicting situation would arise in the event the Supreme Court, being seized of the matter, would be making further suggestions in its wisdom to guide the process and on the other hand the NGT would be pressing for conclusion and formulation of the policy short of consideration of these suggestions by the state.”
On April 16, the top court had stayed an order of the NGT where it had imposed a cost of Rs 50 lakh on the Jammu and Kashmir government for not finalising a rehabilitation plan.
The tribunal had earlier said that a new path should be created to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars and directed that no horses or mules would be allowed on the new route to the shrine.
The apex court, which had asked for rehabilitation of the owners of horses and mules who have become jobless, had also said that no coercive action be taken till it decided the appeal of the state government.
–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.