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Amid opposition uproar, Amarinder cracks down on polluting industries
Chandigarh, May 30 (IANS) With the opposition accusing his government of inaction over industries brazenly polluting the state, particularly river water, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered a crackdown on polluting industries.
Reiterating his government’s zero tolerance to river pollution, Amarinder Singh ordered stringent enforcement of the laws and regulations governing discharge of effluents into the rivers.
“My government will not allow pollution to damage the health of the people of Punjab at any cost, whether in towns or villages,” he said after a meeting with senior officers, including that of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).
“Strict action will be taken against all polluting units. Neither the industry nor the municipalities would be allowed to flow any effluents into the rivers without treating them,” said Amarinder Singh, also directing the Chief Secretary to prepare a comprehensive river cleaning plan with a clear timeline for its implementation.
The state government drew flak recently after molasses discharge by Chadha Sugar mill and distillery in Gurdaspur district not only contaminated water of the Beas river but also led to death of thousands of fish earlier this month.
The government only imposed a penalty of Rs 5 crore on the sugar mill through the PPCB and did not get a case registered against the factory owners, who are considered close to the Chief Minister and the ruling Congress.
Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira, of the Aam Aadmi Party, has openly accused the Amarinder government of turning a blind eye to the pollution being spread by the mill owned by former minister Rana Gurjit Singh.
Lambasting the AAP and Khaira for playing political games over a serious issue, Amarinder Singh said his government was “seriously tackling the issue of pollution in a systematic manner”.
The AAP leaders had sought a meeting with the Chief Minister on Wednesday over the issue but he did not meet them.
A protest march by AAP leadership to the Chief Minister’s residence was stopped by the Chandigarh Police.
Lashing out at the earlier Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government for making a mess of the state during the 10 years of their misrule, Amarinder Singh said it would take time to streamline things.
–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.