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Goa beach cleaning tender triggers spat between ruling alliance members

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Panaji, Nov 19 (IANS) Uncollected garbage strewn on Goa’s beaches, and a tender to appoint an agency to clean them, triggered a row in the ruling BJP-led coalition government on Monday.

Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar slammed Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo, who alleged a scam in a new tender floated to appoint an agency to keep the state’s beaches clean.

In a statement issued on Monday, Ajgaonkar, a Minister from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, a part of the ruling alliance, asked Lobo not to interfere with the functioning of the Tourism department and insisted that the tendering process was transparent and foolproof.

“The Tourism Department has enough expertise, manpower and ability to handle the beach cleaning work and I don’t want others to interfere and try to influence the working of the department,” Ajgaonkar said, adding that the department will not bow to “any pressure and threats”.

“The beach cleaning tenders have been floated by Goa Tourism after proper study and the Department will strictly follow all guidelines and procedures in appointing a new agency. The tendering process will be transparent and foolproof and the Goa Tourism will ensure that the eligible and best agency is appointed and no injustice will be done to anyone,” Ajgaonkar said.

Goa’s beaches and its nightlife attract nearly eight million tourists annually. However, a pile-up of garbage in recent years has been a cause for concern, leading to the appointment of a private agency to keep Goa’s beaches clean.

The lapse of the contract last month has resulted in Goa’s beaches once again being strewn with garbage, even as the tourism season is poised to reach its peak, with no agency in place to collect it.

In the past, the previous BJP-led coalition government was forced to scrap beach cleaning tenders, after the Opposition as well as civil society groups alleged a scam in the tendering process.

Earlier on Monday, Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and ruling BJP MLA Michael Lobo alleged a scam in the current tendering process for cleaning up of beaches.

“The Tourism Department needs to take a relook at the tendering process… The past Tourism Minister who was also from the BJP did not go to jail for scam in the tendering of beach cleaning contracts, only because he was from the BJP. It should not happen this time. That is why I am requesting the Minister to relook the tender,” Lobo said.

–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

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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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