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SC bans coal transportation in Meghalaya
New Delhi/Shillong, Jan 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday banned transportation of coal in Meghalaya and pulled up the state government for failing to curb its illegal mining.
The ban on the transportation of coal was of significance in the wake of a coal mine tragedy in the state in December. Fifteen miners are trapped inside an illegal 370-feet flooded coal mine at Ksan village in East Jaintia Hills district for the past one month now.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and S. Abdul Nazeer questioned the state government on the steps taken to prevent illegal coal mining despite the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The bench also directed the state government to file a report on the present status of illegal coal mining, including cases registered against illegal mining.
On the plea moved by various petitioners for transportation of coal, the apex court noted there would be not be any transportation of coal lying on the sites till the next hearing fixed on February 19.
The apex court had allowed transportation of the extracted and assessed coal from December 4, 2018 to January 31, 2019. The extracted coal yet to be transported is 1,76, 655 metric tonnes.
Reacting to the Court’s order, Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly, Mukul Sangma held Chief Minister Conrad Sangma responsible for the government’s failure to stop illegal coal mining.
“Today’s (Tuesday) order of the Supreme Court shows that for the first time in the history of India, this court could no longer trust a state government and the leadership (Conrad Sangma) has to be held responsible,” Mukul Sangma said.
“With this exposure, the leadership does not have both the moral and the legal right to continue in office,” he said.
Meanwhile, scientists from National Geophysical Research Institute conducted electrical resistivity tomography survey for the second day in a row at Ksan village where the miners are trapped inside a flooded mine.
Rescue Operations spokesperson Reginald Susngi said that Coal India Limited and Odisha firefighters continued de-watering the abandoned shafts of the coal mines near the main shaft where the miners have been trapped.
The Indian Navy operated its underwater remotely vehicle (UROV) for 15 hours inside the old shaft to survey and sanitize the shaft, he said.
Kirloskar Brothers Ltd has shifted high-capacity pump to another shaft to allow the Indian Navy to operate their UROV freely without any obstruction, Susngi said.
The tragedy came to light after five miners escaped the coal pit.
The Supreme Court, monitoring the rescue operations, has directed the government that the trapped miners have to be taken out of the coal mine “dead or alive”.
–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.