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Taiwan’s ex-president charged with breach of trust, economic offences
Taipei, July 10 (IANS) Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou was on Tuesday officially charged with breach of trust and economic irregularities while approving sales of assets owned by his party Kuomintang, the Taipei prosecutor’s office said.
The Kuomintang (KMT) party had accumulated huge wealth in the form of cash, securities and real estate during its rule from 1949 to 2000, which according to the opposition were largely illegal appropriations, including favouring members or friends in Ma Ying-jeou’s party.
The prosecutors said they found illegalities in the sale of companies Hua Hsia Investment Holding (2005), China Television (2006) and the building of the former headquarters of the KMT in Taipei, also in 2006, Efe news reported.
The sale of Central Motion Picture and the China Broadcasting Corporation (BCC), both in 2006, were also under scanner.
All these transactions were made when Ma was head of KMT and according to prosecutors, he approved sales at prices below the market value “to get rid of the assets”, which would otherwise have been confiscated.
KMT called the accusations “surprise attack” and the prosecutors “political assassins” that tarnish judicial independence and the justice system.
Ma Ying-jeou, through his spokesperson, said he was “not surprised” by the accusation, although he felt very “angry” about the political use of the judiciary by the current Progressive Democratic Party government.
On May 15, Ma, who was President of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016 and helped ease tensions between Beijing and Taipei, was handed four months in jail for leaking information related to national security. He had filed an appeal against the sentence.
Ma, who was also KMT President from 2009 to 2014, was let off in several graft cases for lack of evidence.
–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.