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The Uttar Pradesh government is targeting to plant over 37 crore saplings through the Paudhropan Mahabhiyan-2025, according to a statement issued here on Saturday. It said the government will also establish special green zones called Gopal Van in all cow shelters across the state. These green zones will feature shady and fodder-rich plant species to support cattle welfare. Saints and cowherds have extended their support to the initiative. The government said around 52.43 crore saplings have been kept ready for the Paudhropan Mahabhiyan 2025. Of these, 37 crore saplings will be planted across the state in a single campaign. Since 2017, a total of 204.92 crore saplings have been planted in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the state is now ranked second in the country in terms of green cover, the statement claimed. Meanwhile, Gopal Van will be established in 6,613 temporary cow shelters across rural Uttar Pradesh, 387 large cow conservation centres, 305 Kanji houses, and 303 Kanha Gau Ashr
The Urban Development Department on Friday said it has taken a significant step to modernise and digitise education in urban areas of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in government schools. Under several flagship schemes, the department is developing more than 2,700 smart classrooms at a cost of approximately Rs 324.56 crore, it said. "Out of these (2,700 classrooms), around 1,780 classrooms have already been completed and are now operational," the department said in a statement. This initiative is proving especially beneficial for students from economically weaker sections in urban areas, it said. "These students are gaining access to modern, technology-enabled education and are becoming digitally empowered, resulting in the increase of enrollment rate across the state," it added. To boost educational facilities in urban government schools, the department said it is constructing 2,700 smart classrooms through various schemes. The majority of these -- ?1,183 classrooms -- ?have been .
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a high-powered committee to examine whether there was a need to regulate online gaming and betting. Justice Vinod Diwaker's direction came after he observed that the existing Public Gambling Act, 1867 was a colonial-era law that addresses only conventional forms of gambling like card games. The court said the panel would be headed by Professor K V Raju, the economic advisor to the Uttar Pradesh government and may include the principal secretary (state tax) as member secretary besides other experts as members. The direction came after two persons, including one Imran Khan, sought quashing of gambling charges and criminal proceedings. The duo was accused of running an online betting racket from home and earning crores of rupees leading the locals in Agra to gamble away their earnings. The court observed a law must be enacted to meet the transformative changes in online betting and gaming and took a suo-