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Sarkar has mixed response to BJP-led Tripura government’s first budget

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Agartala, June 21 (IANS) Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who is now Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, on Thursday appreciated some proposals of the BJP-led state government’s first budget while slamming some of its other provisions.

Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, who also holds the finance portfolio, on Tuesday presented a Rs 16,387.21 crore tax-free, zero deficit budget for financial year 2018-19.

“I appreciate the state government for announcing the reservation of 10 per cent posts for the women in the police force.

“It is also good that the state government has decided to identify ‘distress paras” (distress habitat) to provide free ration to people in the interior and tribal areas,” Sarkar, who was state Chief Minister for 20 years (1998-2018), told the assembly.

He also welcomed the state government’s decision to increase the number of generic medicine counters in different parts of the state, set up new educational and training institutions for B.Ed courses and increasing the rate of stipend for the students, especially for the tribals.

However, he said that the proposed Tripura Infrastructure and investment Fund Board for raising funds from private sector for taking up large infrastructure projects would not serve the interests of the people of the state.

“Those private investors would support the proposed Tripura Infrastructure and investment Fund Board they would mainly consider their interest and profit, not the welfare of the people. The Central government for many years has been stressing setting up of industries and various projects in the northeastern region under private-public-partnership. But, the plan was not fruitful for many reasons,” he added.

Strongly criticising the budget proposal of increasing of sales tax on petrol by two per cent and on diesel and piped natural gas by one per cent each and imposition of cess on turnover at the rate of two per cent on the three fuels, Sarkar said that this would increase the already burdened people’s economic miseries.

He also demanded increase of allocation in agriculture, rural development, rural jobs besides person days in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Opposition Congress, however, squarely criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first budget, claiming that the budget of the coalition government is unable to provide any relief to the people during the time of high inflation.

“The BJP led government’s Budget is nothing but a copy of previous Left Front government’s anti-people budget,” senior Congress leader Gopal Chandra Roy told the media.

“At a time when country is suffering of high price rise of petrol and diesel, the state government, instead of decreasing the prices of fuel, has levied the cess on petrol, diesel and piped natural gas. Increase of sales tax on the three fuels would increase the economic suffering of people of all classes,” he said.

–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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