Page 12 - Uttar Pradesh Government

NGT slams UPPCB for submitting old water sample amid Maha Kumbh mela

Toxic waters: The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board had defended the water quality and said that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers met the required standards for bathing, except at one bridge

Yogi Adityanath defends Maha Kumbh, slams opposition for criticism

The UP CM accused the opposition led by the SP of being against the Kumbh and not participating in discussion on the preparations for the festival during the last assembly session

550 million devotees have taken holy dip at Maha Kumbh, says UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday said an unprecedented 55 crore devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela have taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. The Kumbh Mela which started on January 13 will continue till February 26 (Maha Shivratri). Half of India's 110 crore Sanatan followers have immersed themselves, and this number is expected to surpass 60 crore by the final bathing ritual on February 26, an official statement said, adding this Maha Kumbh has seen the largest participation in any religious, cultural, or social event. According to the World Population Review, Pew Research, India's population is approximately 143 crore (1.43 billion), with 110 crore (1.10 billion) followers of Sanatan Dharma, the statement said. The number of those who took bath at the Triveni Sangam represents 50 per cent of India's Sanatan followers, it claimed. Compared to India's total population, over 38 per cent of the country's people have participated in the holy dip, it said. On a global scale, acco

Climate change drying up rivers, need to act now: UP CM at Maha Kumbh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said climate change is drying up rivers and urged people to act urgently instead of engaging in a blame game over carbon dioxide emissions. Addressing a conference on climate change, environment and faith at the Maha Kumbh, he said the UP government has worked to rejuvenate rivers in the state, which is why the Kumbh is witnessing such large crowds. "CO2 emissions are causing climate change, which is further drying up rivers, the lifelines of Mother Earth," he said. "People blame each other but don't take responsibility for mitigating climate change. It's time we act collectively and individually urgently," Adityanath added. He said that the Ganga and Yamuna were not as clean 10 years ago, but his government worked to rejuvenate them. "Because the river water is clean and arrangements are good, people are coming in large numbers to the Kumbh. Every time, 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water are released into the Ganga, ensuring th

Uttar Pradesh govt sets ₹60,000 cr excise revenue target for FY26

The state's new excise policy has introduced an e-lottery system for allotting liquor, beer, and wine shops. Existing license holders will have the option of renewal via e-lottery in FY27

Cultural performances at Maha Kumbh featuring renowned artistes from Feb 7

Cultural programmes at the Maha Kumbh will start on February 7, showcasing the vibrancy of India's artistic heritage at one of the biggest religious congregations in the world. According to a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government, the Culture Department has finalised all preparations for grand performances that would feature some of the country's most celebrated artistes over four days at the Ganga Pandal. The lineup includes performances of Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly on February 7, playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy on February 8, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and singer Suresh Wadkar on February 9, and renowned singer Hariharan on February 10. The performances aim to present a "confluence of cultures," reflecting the spiritual and artistic essence of the Maha Kumbh. Besides the performance of Dona Ganguly, the wife of former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly, February 7 will also witness performances by Sufi singers Yogesh Gandharv and Abha Gandharv, classical musician Sum

Milkipur Assembly bypoll: Over 44% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm

Nearly 30 per cent votes were cast in the first two hours of polling for the bypoll in Milkipur Assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm, officials said. According to the Election Commission (EC), 29.86 per cent votes were cast till 11 am. The Milkipur bypoll has turned into a prestige battle between the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party as the seat is part of the politically significant Ayodhya district. While voting is underway at polling booths, Samajwadi Party leaders alleged that police are checking the identity cards of voters to "create fear" in them. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on X, "The Election Commission should immediately take cognisance of pictures related to the news that Ayodhya Police -- senior police officers included -- is checking the ID cards of voters in Milkipur." "This is a murder of democracy by indirectly influencing voting by creating fear among voters. Such people

DMK flays Centre, UP govt for 'hiding' Mahakumbh stampede casualties

The BJP government at the Centre is "protecting" the Uttar Pradesh government by hiding Mahakumbh stampede deaths and showing a flawed death toll, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK alleged on Wednesday. Appropriate arrangements must have been made for the devotees taking part in that event if the BJP had 'real bhakthi.' However, it was not done. "The BJP and its associates show their bhakthi only outside the temple and only in politics. That is why the kumbh fest was conducted in a negligent manner," DMK mouthpiece 'Murasoli' alleged in an editorial on February 5 adding the BJP government was responsibile for the tragic deaths. Pointing to participation of crores of devotees in the festival, the "unmanageable crowd" and deaths rising gradually, the Dravidian party newspaper alleged "restriction was imposed on news outlets" to not report the increase in the number of deaths and accordingly, the news was withheld. "Only after 17 hours, the Yogi government confirmed the number of deaths as 30,"

UP SMEs eye offshore markets as state targets Rs 3 trillion in exports

To grab international trade opportunities, Indian Industries Association (IIA) will leverage global trade fairs to showcase domestic products across different product categories

'Not very big incident': BJP MP Hema Malini on Maha Kumbh stampede

BJP MP Hema Malini said that so many people are coming to the Maha Kumbh Mela and it gets very difficult to manage

UP govt prioritises 'zero-error' Basant Panchami Amrit Snan after stampede

Shaken by the deadly January 29 stampede, top Uttar Pradesh government officials on Sunday stressed the compliance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive of "zero-error" during the ongoing Maha Kumbh's final 'Amrit Snan' on Basant Panchami. The government said said expects five crore pilgrims to take the holy dip Monday, and several steps has been taken to ensure the event remains incident-free. "Operation Eleven" has been implemented for crowd management, one-way traffic system has been put in place in the mela area for smooth movement for pilgrims and preventing congestion at Triveni Ghats, barricades have been raised, and additional police forces deployed, particularly on pontoon bridges, to avoid any mishap. Other key measures include increased security at the New Yamuna and Shastri bridges, deployment of armed state and central police forces at major crowd points like Tikarmafi Turn and Phaphamau Bridge, and strategic traffic diversions. Rail and bus operations have bee

Ensure 'zero errors' for Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami: UP CM to officials

Ahead of Monday's Amrit Snan at the Maha Kumbh on Basant Panchami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure "zero errors" in arrangements. During a review meeting in Prayagraj on Saturday, he said the traditional 'shobha yatra' of 'akharas' should be conducted with grandeur and all necessary preparations completed on time, according to a statement. The chief minister highlighted the importance of security and said the safety and convenience of everyone should be ensured. He also directed the officials to increase parking space and ensure that devotees had to walk as little as possible. Senior police officers should be assigned to manage traffic at key locations, he said. Adityanath stressed that Sunday and Monday would be critical and said no VIP protocol would be in place before, during or after major bathing days. The directions came after at least 30 people died and 60 were injured in a stampede that broke out on Wednesday when the area c

Maha Kumbh 2025: Locals of Prayagraj provide meals, shelter to pilgrims

Residents of Prayagraj have thrown their doors open to the hundreds of stranded and hungry after an incontinent surge in number of pilgrims arriving for the Maha Kumbh sent the city infra groaning under its weight. While the administration grapples with the crowd after the deadly stampede on Mauni Amavasya, the city's residents, businesses, and students have risen to the occasion, providing food, shelter, and transport help to the countless devotees arriving for a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. Dr Anjali Kesari, a local, summed up the sentiment: "In Allahabad, we don't see the Maha Kumbh pilgrims as outsiders, we are hosts and they are our guests." Speaking to PTI, she shared how her neighbourhood in Chowk, close to the railway station, banded together to serve food to weary pilgrims. "Yesterday alone, we distributed tea that took 80 litres of milk into its preparation along with snacks, while others prepared meals like tehri and dal-chawal for the pilgrims," she said. Many local

Mahakumbh devotees take refuge in Ayodhya's night shelters as influx grows

Devotees have praised the well-organised system, highlighting the cleanliness, safety measures, and accessibility of essential amenities

Maha Kumbh stampede: CM Yogi reviews arrangements, issues fresh directives

Following the stampede at the Maha Kumbh on Mauni Amavasya Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a slew of guidelines on crowd management, traffic flow, prevention of build-up of devotees and coordination among departments. He ordered the deployment of Ashish Goyal, who served as Divisional Commissioner of Prayagraj during Kumbh 2019, and Bhanu Goswami, a former Vice Chairman of ADA, to further strengthen the arrangements, according to an official statement. Adityanath asked the chief secretary and the director general of police to conduct a thorough review of the Maha Kumbh Mela arrangements on Thursday. "Every aspect related to security and public convenience must be carefully examined to ensure seamless arrangements for Basant Panchami," he said. He said the incumbent ADG and the District Magistrate of Prayagraj must ensure safe and smooth departure of every devotee. Five Special Secretary-level officers are being assigned to oversee operations, according to the ...

Kumbh Mela stampede updates: 25 people killed in stampede identified, says DIG Vaibhav Krishna

Prayagraj Kumbh Mela stampede updates: A stampede-like situation broke out at Sangam in the early hours of Wednesday amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh, as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath

Akhilesh calls for Army takeover of Maha Kumbh management after stampede

Yadav criticised the state government for failing to deliver on its promises of a world-class system

UP CM Yogi should 'guide' Amit Shah to fix Delhi law and order: Kejriwal

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should "guide" Union Home Minister Amit Shah about how to improve law and order and eliminate gangsters in Delhi, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday. Adityanath, in back-to-back to election rallies in Delhi on Thursday, slammed Kejriwal over a host of issues, alleging the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) settled Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in Okhla and other parts of the city. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal claimed that Adityanath said in Delhi that he improved law and order and eliminated gangsters in Uttar Pradesh. "Yogi said a very good thing yesterday. He said law and order has collapsed in Delhi. I hundred per cent agree with him. There are 11 big groups of gangsters in Delhi, who are openly operating, dividing the city into 11 sections," Kejriwal said. He further charged that the gangs are openly demanding ransoms of crores of rupees from traders and women find it difficult to go out of their houses, adding that ...

Sambhal demolition: SC to hear plea against authorities after a week

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear after a week a plea seeking contempt proceedings against Sambhal authorities for allegedly violating its verdict on demolition of properties. Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih posted the matter after a week after the lawyer appearing for petitioner Mohammed Ghayoor sought an adjournment on the ground that the arguing counsel was in a personal difficulty. He requested the bench to post the matter after a week. In his plea filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, the petitioner alleged the authorities violated the top court's November 13 2024 verdict which laid down pan-India guidelines and barred demolition of properties without a prior showcause notice and giving 15 days to the aggrieved party to respond. The plea claimed authorities in UP's Sambhal bulldozed a part of the petitioner's property on January 10-11 without a prior notice or an opportunity to him or his family members. "The petitioner and his family members had al

Demolition in Sambhal: SC to hear plea seeking contempt action after a week

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear after a week a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against authorities in Sambhal for alleged violation of the apex court's verdict on demolition of properties. The plea came up for hearing before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih. The lawyer appearing for petitioner Mohammed Ghayoor sought a short adjournment, saying the arguing counsel was in a personal difficulty. He requested the bench to post the matter for hearing after a week. The bench said the plea would come up for hearing after one week. In his plea filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, the petitioner has alleged violation of the November 13 last year verdict of the top court which laid down pan-India guidelines and said no property should be demolished without a prior show cause notice and the affected must be given 15 days to respond. The plea claimed that authorities in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh had bulldozed a part of the petitioner's