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Punjab may up compensation for Amritsar train tragedy victims
Chandigarh, Oct 21 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday asked officials to prepare a detailed socio-economic profile of the victims of the Amritsar train tragedy, hinting at a higher compensation for the aggrieved families amid growing criticism that the government was not doing enough, and quickly, to alleviate their pain.
“The Chief Minister told his Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar that the government will have to do more than just give Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the kin of the dead, especially in cases where the victims are poor,” a spokesperson for the Chief Minister said.
Singh directed the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police to make a detailed socio-economic profile of each of the victims.
On Friday, at least 59 people lost their lives, and 60 others were injured when a train ran through a crowd that had gathered on a railway track to watch ‘Ravana’ effigies go up in flames on the occasion of Dussehra.
The Chief Minister also directed that ration, clothing, and medicines be provided to the families of the victims expeditiously, as most of them came from an economically weak background.
Singh, whose government is facing flak for its tardy response to the tragedy and for not doing enough for the affected families, also reviewed the relief and rehabilitation work with the Crisis Management Group of ministers headed by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra.
“The Chief Minister, who had met some of the survivors of the accident in the hospitals yesterday, was moved by tales of two young women, who had lost their entire families, including children and husbands, and in one case even the in-laws,” the spokesperson said.
Singh told his Chief Principal Secretary that a proper system would need to be evolved to ensure that such survivors were rehabilitated by the state government at the earliest, and were not left to fend for themselves.
He also directed the CMG to take immediate steps for early disbursement of the compensation.
“All steps should be taken for an effective rehabilitation of the survivors and the families of the victims,” Singh said at the review meeting with the Crisis Management Group, set up on Friday to handle relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.
–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.