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Revoke permission to cut trees, Delhi government tells L-G
New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Delhi Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain on Tuesday said the AAP government had written to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to seek revocation of permission to cut trees for redevelopment projects in south Delhi.
Talking to reporters here, the Minister said that a penalty should be imposed on user agency for alleged violations in redevelopment projects in Kidwai Nagar, Nauroji Nagar and Netaji Nagar.
“A note has been forwarded to the L-G, recommending revocation of tree cutting permission in all General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies under the redevelopment projects and for taking penal action against user agency for various violations,” Hussain said.
“The project in Kidwai Nagar, for which permission was given in 2013-14, was almost ready, but no re-plantation drive was taken up. The permission was given for cutting of about 5,600 trees for the three projects, of which 3,300 were chopped. But no re-plantation has been done,” the Minister said.
In the note, Hussain wrote that the agency had “failed” to carry out necessary compensatory tree plantation and in making available a site to the city Forest Department for the same, which amounts to “violation of the National Green Tribunal’s orders”.
“As per media reports, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced that the NBCC and his Ministry are redesigning the entire project to ensure no further cutting of trees. Hence, permissions given so far are redundant.
“Hence, the GNCTD (Delhi government) has decided to revoke all permissions granted so far in respect of unfelled trees,” Hussain wrote.
He also “recommended that tree cutting permission to the user agency may be revoked in all these GPRA colonies and penal action as per the law may be initiated.”
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also said actions should be taken against those involved in violation of rules.
“There were violations of rules. There is a court order that if one tree is chopped, 10 should be planted. When the Minister checked, it was found that re-plantation has not been started.
“Even the land for re-plantation was not handed over to the Forest Department. Due to these reasons, it has been decided to revoke the permission order for these projects. The file for the same has been forwarded to the L-G,” Sisodia 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
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.