Top News
Allahabad HC seeks progress report in ‘memorial scam’ probe
Lucknow, Sep 20 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court on Thursday sought the progress report of a vigilance probe into an alleged multi-crore scam in the building of monuments and parks when Mayawati was the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister between 2007 and 2012.
A bench of Chief Justice D.B. Bhonsle and Justice Yashwant verma gave the state one week to submit the progress report.
The court gave the directions while hearing a public interest litigation by Shashikant Pandey of Mirzapur who claimed a multi-crore scam in the construction of Ambedkar Smarak Parivartan Sthal, Manyavar Kanshiram Smarak Sthal, Eco Park, Gautambuddha Upwan, Ramabai Ambedkar grounds, Smriti Upwan in state capital Lucknow and the Ambedkar Park in Noida.
The petitioner quoted the Lokayukta report on corruption of Rs 1,400 crore in the construction of these monuments and said that the ombudsman had sought a CBI probe.
BSP supremo Mayawati, her confidants and former Ministers Babu Singh Kushwaha and Naseemuddin Siddiqui and 12 legislators were accused in the matter.
More than 100 engineers and government employees, officers of the Noida Development Authority, Nirmal Nigam and Public Works Department were accused of involvement in the case.
Mayawati had allegedly taken personal interest in the construction of these monuments, named after Dalit icons and Rs 4,500 crore was earmarked for the projects in the state budget.
After the Lokayukta report was submitted, then Samajwadi party government led by Akhilesh Yadav had lodged an FIR in 2014.
Investigations had allegedly found that pink stone used was supplied from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh though it was shown in records as sourced from Rajasthan and false billing.
The Lokayukta report pointed out that while labourers and machines used for cutting stones were hired from Lucknow, the payments made were allegedly ten times the normal wages/charges.
The Vigilance Department is investigation the matter.
After Akhilesh Yadav stormed to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2012, he had vowed to bring Mayawati to book but after some time the matter was put in the cold store. For now, the two bitter rivals are talking of an electoral alliance in the 2019 general elections.
The BJP government too in the past one-and-a-half years has done little in the matter.
–IANS
md/tsb/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.