Top News
Opposition sceptical of government assurances on Assam NRC
New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Opposition leaders in the Rajya Sabha cutting across party lines on Friday expressed scepticism over the assurances given by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the NRC updation process in Assam.
Rajnath Singh had assured that the entire NRC process was transparent and the left out people from the final draft, published on July 30, were being provided a fair chance to prove their credentials.
After the Home Minister had given his statement, Leader of Opposition in the upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded to know as to how could so many people be left out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) if there was no discrimination.
“The Home Minister has said the process is entirely fair and objective. If that is so, how come persons like a former Indian Air Force personnel be left out. If the entire process has been fair, what is left to be done then,” Azad asked.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien questioned the “dichotomy” over the statements made by the Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Amit Shah.
“This is classic double-speak. What is the real voice of the government? What Home Minister says here or what BJP President says outside?” O’Brien said.
“What the Home Minister said just now in the House that communal disharmony is being spread. Yes Sir, it is being spread. But I want to ask the Home Minister, who is spreading disharmony?” the TMC leader said.
Samajwadi Party leader Javed Ali Khan, too, asked how could people like former legislators and the family of former President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed be left out of the NRC in Assam.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Majeed Memon demanded from the Home Minister as to what would happen to those who would be left out even after the revision of the list.
Congress MP from Assam Ripun Bora argued that the guidelines for inclusion in the NRC should be “modified and simplified” and the last date — September 27 — for submission of claims needs to be extended.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member T.K. Rangarajan too asked for extension of the deadline so that people get sufficient opportunity.
Members also expressed concern at the way some people and the media were already labelling the 40 lakh left out people as “infiltrators”.
–IANS
mak/mag/pgh/vm
Top News
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.