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Kharge again declines to attend Lokpal selection panel meet
New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday again declined to attend a meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee, reiterating that “invitation as special invitee without the right of participation, recording of opinion and voting was an eyewash”.
The Lok Sabha member said that it was a concerted effort and also a design to keep an important member of the Selection Committee out and thus have an overbearing influence on the selection of the Lokpal.
As per the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a member of the Selection Committee. Since Kharge does not have that status, he has not been made a part of the Selection Panel and only a ‘special invitee’.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Kharge said that unless and until the leader of the single largest opposition party (Congress) is conferred the status of a full-fledged member of the Selection Committee, he wouldn’t attend the meeting.
“This letter is in reference to the office memorandum dated September 11 of the Department of Personnel and Training, inviting me to attend the Lokpal Selection Committee meeting on September 19,” Kharge said in the letter.
“Your attention is also invited to my earlier letters dated February 28, April 10, July 18, and September 4 wherein I have written to you in detail regarding my objections to being invited as a ‘special invitee’ and reasons for declining the invitation,” he added.
Kharge said that it was distressing that the government continued to invite him as a special invitee despite being aware of the fact that there is no such provision under Section 4 of the Lokpal Act, 2013.
“Over the last four years, the government has not made any attempt to amend the relevant provisions to include leader of the single-largest party in the opposition as panel member.
“An invitation as a special invitee without the right of participation, recording of opinion and voting in the procedure is an eyewash to mislead the nation and the people,” said Kharge.
“Considering the fact that there is no provision under Section 4 of the Lokpal Act for a special invitee, I am again forced to respectfully decline this invitation unless… conferred the status of a full-fledged member to reflect the spirit of the Lokapl Act.”
–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.