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Mamata threatens to cancel lease of closed tea gardens, auction them

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Siliguri, July 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government would cancel the lease and auction the tea gardens that have been shut for a long time and file criminal cases against tea garden owners defaulting on employees’ provident fund and gratuity.

Holding a series of meetings during the day at the northern West Bengal secretariat Uttarkanya with regard to the problems of tea gardens in the region, she met representatives of tea gardens and also discussed the issues with cabinet colleagues – Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak and Arup Biswas – and senior officials.

“We will file a criminal case against the tea garden owners who don’t pay PF and gratuity. Though PF is under the Central government, strict action will be taken for non-payment,” said Banerjee.

Regarding closed tea gardens, the Chief Minister said: “We will cancel the lease and auction the tea gardens that have been kept closed for a long time. Six tea gardens have been non-functional from the days of the Left Front rule.”

Banerjee also set up an expert committee to under Chief Secretary Malay Dey to find a permanent solution. The panel would furnish a report after looking into the problems of the tea gardens.

“I want a permanent solution for tea workers. We have plans for the tea workers and their children who face malnutrition,” she said.

“We have taken initiative to open four of them, work is under progress. Two of them are facing litigation for which we are approaching the court,” she added.

The state government has proposed a daily wage of Rs 176 for the tea garden workers, till the minimum wages were finalised.

According to the Chief Minister, the community developement programme need to be enhanced.

“Vocational training will be given to the non-workers who cannot get a job in the tea gardens. They can be given various skills like poultry farming and the Animal Resources Development Department can help them,” she said.

Micro-financing has also been planned.

There have been discussions about ‘Tea Tourism’ using the tea garden land which will bring benefits for the tea garden workers.

–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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