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AN-32 kickback charge: Congress asks Sitharaman to respond (Second Lead)

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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 ministry officials in the purchase of spares for the IAF’s AN-32 transport aircraft.

The party also demanded that the government should use, not “misuse” its investigative agencies in this case.

Citing a news report about Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau investigating an alleged kickback of Rs 17.55 crore over the sale of spares for the Soviet-era aircraft to India, party spokesperson Manish Tewari said: “AN-32 is the workhorse of the Indian Air Force 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.”

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 said, adding the government should respond on this extremely serious issue.

“We do hope she (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 had earlier on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the “self-proclaimed chowkidar”, should take immediate action against the Defence Ministry officials.

Meanwhile Tewari further said that Ukrainian investigators held after signing of these completion statements despite the terms of contract remaining unfulfilled, a sum of Rs 17.55 crore was transferred to the account of a company called Global Marketing, ostensibly in the Noor Islamic Bank in the UAE.

“They (the government) should go deep into the matter and put all the facts in front of the people. We urge them instead of misusing the institutions like CBI, ED and Income Tax for spreading political hatred, they must use them for national interest in this case.”

He raised five points for the government to respond to, including if the Ukrainian authorities sought legal assistance from the Indian government in February this year, and if so, the government’s response, or if the Defence Ministry had ordered any probe into the matter.

He also asked if this government believes in transparency, why it is hiding these facts or will it “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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