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Offset partners can’t be chosen without government clearance: Congress (Lead)
New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) Maintaining the heat on the Narendra Modi government over the Rafale fighter jet deal, the Congress on Tuesday said that under the defence procurement rules, an offset partner can be chosen only with the Indian government’s clearance and the Modi government is “lying” on the issue.
The Congress also demanded that the government clarify that it did not violate the rules in giving the offset contract to a private firm, new to the business, instead of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that has vast experience in fighter plane manufacturing.
“On a bare bone text reading of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013/2016, it makes amply clear that an offset partner cannot be selected without thorough evaluation and scrutiny by the Defence Minister and the Defence Acquisition Wing of the Ministry,” senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said.
“Why were all rules and procedures laid down in the DPP violated? The DPP, which is the master document laying down procedure for all defence procurements including G2G purchases, mandates scrutiny and evaluation of offset partners by Defence Offset Management Wing (DOMW) so that government accountability and monitoring exist in selection and execution of offset contracts.
“Was this procedure bypassed or deliberately ignored by the Raksha Mantri?” Sibal demanded to know.
He said that the Modi government needs to share evidence to show they complied with DPP offset guidelines in approving Reliance Defence as offset partner.
“If no proof exists, then that means entire Rafale deal is in violation of defence procurement procedure…The Defence Minister is lying when she says government had no role in selection of offset partner,” he said.
He stressed that as per DPP 2016, the government had to be, and “must have been”, apprised of the developments at “every step” (in selecting an offset partner).
“What extraordinary expertise this private firm brought to the table to displace the time-tested HAL? Unless with a specific direction from the Prime Minister, which professionally-run company like Dassault Aviation will select as an offset partner, a company with zero experience of manufacturing aircraft and which did not have land or a building to manufacture anything at all? Was it a viable commercial decision?” Sibal said.
Taking a jibe at Modi’s “na khaoonga, na khane doonga” (Neither will I take bribe, nor let others do) maxim, Sibal said that the Prime Minister should now change his motto to “na bataoonga, na batane doonga” (Neither will I reveal, nor let others do).
–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.
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