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SC junks plea for restoration of clogged rivers
New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea seeking restoration of the rivers flowing through reserve forests in Uttar Pradesh with their beds overloaded with sand, bajri (gravel), morang and boulder as it questioned the bonafides of the petitioner.
Petitioner Gopal Chandra Sinha is the Assistant Conservator of Forest in the State Forest Department. He had joined the Uttar Pradesh Forest Corp (UPFC) as Divisional Manager. An FIR was lodged against Sinha and another official on May 5 and at present he is under suspension.
Sinha had sought directions for immediate start of the work for the restoration of rivers clogged with forest produce and the sub-minerals — sand, bajri, morang and boulder.
The PIL also urged the court to appoint an advocate commissioner to monitor the work.
Observing that there was merit in the issue raised in the PIL, a vacation bench of Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Indu Malhotra said but “we have serious doubts about the petitioner” who is a subordinate officer in the UPFC and has issues with his senior.
Telling the senior counsel Anoop Chaudhari that the issue could be moved by some other person or NGO, the court said there was a criminal complaint against the petitioner by the state government.
“We have serious doubts… you have mentioned about the FIR (in the PIL). We do feel there is merit in the issue. You have reasons to settle scores with the seniors,” said the bench declining the plea.
The court was unmoved as senior counsel Chaudhari told the bench to ignore the petitioner and take suo motu cognizance of the issue raised the PIL
Technical bids were finalized on May 3, 2018 and the very next day the Managing Director of the UPFC cancelled them and the FIR was lodged against Sinha and another official on May 5.
Sinha has been accused of cheating (Section 420 of the IPC), conspiracy (Section 120B IPC), criminal breach of trust (Section 408 IPC), mischief involving wrongful loss or damage to the public (Section 425 IPC), and under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The restoration of riverbeds overloaded with sand, bajri, morang and boulder in the 12 forest divisions of Uttar Pradesh was required for the restoration, reclamation and conservation of forests and forest land.
The restoration of rivers passing through forests involved the extraction of the sub-minerals deposited on the riverbeds of the rivers, primarily river Ganga, which the UPFC was to undertake.
The PIL was dismissed as withdrawn.
–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.