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Punjab CM seeks compensation to check stubble burning
New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek compensation for farmers for avoiding stubble burning.
He sought Modi’s intervention to ensure settlement of Rs 31,000 crore cash credit limit gap and assistance for the preparation of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.
Modi was sympathetic to the farmers’ plight, said Singh, who has been pressing for Rs 100 per quintal as compensation for the farmers to check the problem of stubble burning.
Singh told Modi that the problem of stubble burning could get aggravated, despite various steps being taken by the state, with the close of the harvest season, and needed to be urgently addressed.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to thank the Prime Minister for the Centre’s decision not to disturb the 60:40 ratio with respect to appointment of officers in Chandigarh.
Amarinder Singh had expressed his protest over the constant efforts being made to disturb the fine balance in sharing of officers and other resources between Haryana and Punjab that had been achieved over a period of time after a great deal of effort.
Giving details of the meeting, an official spokesperson of the Punjab government said the Chief Minister had urged Modi to advise the Finance Ministry to urgently settle the Rs 31,000 crore cash credit limit gap on the principle of shared responsibilities.
Reiterating his demand for resettlement of gap in Food Cash Credit Account of Punjab, which had resulted from systemic and structural reasons, the Chief Minister said this should be settled on the principle of shared responsibilities amongst the stakeholders in procurement of foodgrains for the country.
In fact, he pointed out the matter had been discussed in detail in internal report of the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, referred as the P.K. Jha Committee Report.
Noting that the Ministry of Finance, which was looking into the matter on a reference received from the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, was yet to finalise the matter, Singh sought Modi’s intervention to resolve the issue.
He also urged the Prime Minister to advise the Ministry of Finance to reconsider and review conversion of Rs 31,000 crore as long-term loan as it cannot be solely attributed to Punjab given the principle of shared responsibilities.
The Chief Minister, in the letter, had informed Modi earlier that the heavy rainfall in state and adjoining Himachal Pradesh from September 22-24 had caused extensive damage to life, agricultural crops, property and other infrastructure at different places in the state.
The estimated damage to crops was Rs 150 crore, while road network had been damaged to the extent of Rs 119.32 crore, with another Rs 516.51 crore caused to flood protection infrastructure and minor irrigation works, said the Chief Minister.
–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.