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AN-32 kickback charge: Congress asks Sitharaman to respond

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New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday demanded a response from Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on an alleged kickback of Rs. 17.55 crore received by officials of her ministry in the purchase of spares for the IAF’s AN-32 transport aircraft.

Citing a news report, party spokesperson Manish Tewari said the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is investigating an alleged kickback of Rs 17.55 crore over the sale of spares for AN-32 aircraft to India.

“AN-32 is the workhorse of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and plays an extremely critical role in the entire logistics and supply chain of the IAF. The news report and some letters circulating in the social media alleged that a contract for procurement of spares was signed on November 26, 2014 (when NDA government was in office),” said Tewari.

Despite the terms of contract not having been fulfilled, completion statements were signed between the Ministry of Defence/Air Headquarters and supplier company Spetstechnoexport on August 13, 2015, October 20, 2015 and April 5, 2016, he added.

Tewari said this was an extremely serious issue and his party would like the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the highest level to respond.

“We do hope she (Nirmala Sitharaman), who speaks on every issue, will take time out and respond to something which pertains to her ministry also,” he said.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the “self-proclaimed chowkidar”, should take immediate action against the Defence Ministry officials.

Tewari further said: “The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine alleges that as a consequence of the signing of these completion statements, when the terms of contract remained unfulfilled, a sum of Rs 17.55 crore was transferred to the account of a company called Global marketing.

“…And allegedly, the transfer was made to an account which ostensibly is in the Noor Islamic Bank in the UAE.”

In this context, Tewari raised five points for the NDA government to respond to:

(a) “Is it a fact that the National Criminal Investigation Bureau of Ukraine sought legal assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs/MOD/Government of India in Feb 2018?”

(b) “Is it a fact that the terms of contract had not been fulfilled and the MOD signed a statement of completion which facilitated the transfer of this alleged illegal gratification/kickback?”

(c) “What has been the response so far of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the MOD to the request of the Ukrainian government? Has any internal process been initiated by the MOD in the wake of this alleged scam?”

(d) “Does this government believe in transparency and probity? If yes, then why have they been hiding these facts from the people?”

(e) “Will the government like the Rafale purchase again hide behind the veil of some confidentiality clauses to sweep this matter under the carpet?”

–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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