Page 27 - Uttar Pradesh

UP, Gujarat, Odisha continue fiscal consolidation despite populist schemes

Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha budgets maintain revenue surpluses despite welfare schemes, while Rajasthan and West Bengal face high debt, fiscal deficits, and low capital outlay

620 mn devotees visited Maha Kumbh, one of century's rarest events: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that 62 crore devotees have come to the Maha Kumbh so far and the gathering of such a large number of people during a certain period is in itself "one of the rarest events of the century". Welcoming all the guests at the Unicorn Companies Conclave in Agra, Chief Minister Yogi said, "I can call it the Unicorn Maha Kumbh of the startup world. There is an attraction towards the Maha Kumbh at this time." He said, "This is important for me. Today, I have come to Braj Bhoomi, behind which there has been a spiritual and cultural background. It has influenced India's civilisation and culture for a long time.' Chief Minister Adityanath while talking about the devotees coming to the Maha Kumbh this time, said that so far 62 crore devotees have come to the event. 'I think that in any event in the world, whether it is spiritual or for any tourism purpose, the gathering of such a large number of people during a certain period of time i

600 million devotees have taken holy dip at Maha Kumbh 2025: UP govt

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday said an unprecedented 60 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 on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Over half of India's 110 crore Sanatan followers have bathed in the holy confluence, and this number is expected to surpass 65 crore by the final amrit snan' on February 26, an official statement said. This Maha Kumbh has seen the largest participation in any religious, cultural, or social event, it said. 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. This means that over 55 per cent of the Indian population has taken part in the Maha Kumbh, it said. On a global scale, according to Pew Research 2024, the number of Sanatan followers stands at 1.2 billion (120 crore), meaning that

Sambhal Violence: Chargesheet filed in six of 12 cases, 80 accused arrested

The violence resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including officials and locals

Maha Kumbh also important from economic, environmental viewpoint: Minister

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday described Maha Kumbh as a unique example and said it is not only an event of religious and cultural importance but it is also important from the economic and environmental point of view. The 45-day Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj started on January 13 and will end on February 26, the Mahashivratri day. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, about 59 crore people have so far taken a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Speaking at the Kumbh Global Summit organised by India Foundation at Triveni Complex on Friday, Shekhawat said the Maha Kumbh, along with being the world's largest cultural and spiritual gathering, has also become one of the biggest economic events of the country at present. He said according to the Confederation of All India Traders, the Maha Kumbh has generated trade worth 360 billion dollars (about Rs 3 lakh crore). It will increase the country

UP police submits 3,000 page long charge sheet in Sambhal violence case

The charge sheet is based on six cases filed in two police stations related to the violence

Railways on high alert as devotees flock to Prayagraj for final Amrit Snan

Railways on high alert as thousands of devotees arrive in Prayagraj for the final Amrit Snan on February 26, with strict security, crowd control, and surveillance in place

SC directs UP Police to complete probe against MLA Abbas Ansari in 10 days

MLA Abbas Ansari is facing charges under the the Gangsters Act, as well as, separate allegations connected to money laundering

Sambhal violence to top 'script of atrocities' when SP forms govt: Shivpal

Yadav said that when his party would form the government in the state, a 'script of atrocities' would be written and the Sambhal violence would be at the top

Hathras stampede: Judicial report submitted, to be tabled in UP Assembly

The Hathras Stampede, which occurred in July 2024, resulted in 121 deaths, including 112 women and at least seven children

Uttar Pradesh FM Suresh Khanna tables Rs 8.08 trillion state Budget

Total Budget outlay for FY26 is 9.8 per cent higher than last year's Rs 7.36 trillion

UP to develop vendors' chain to bolster India's defence manufacturing

The proposed defence MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) corridor comprising hubs of ancillary units will primarily feed the UP Defence Industrial Corridor

UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presents Rs 8.09 trn Budget for FY26

Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Thursday presented the Budget for financial year 2025-26 in the state assembly with an outlay of Rs 8,08,736.06 crore, 9.8 per cent higher than this fiscal's Budget outlay. The total outlay for financial year 2025-26 of Rs 8,08,736.06 crore includes new schemes worth Rs 28,478.34 crore, the state finance minister said while presenting the Budget. The size of the state's Budget for 2024-25 was Rs 7,36,437 crore, which included new schemes worth Rs 24,863.57 crore. For the next fiscal, the state government's Budget has estimated the total receipts at Rs 7,79,242.65 crore, which includes revenue receipts estimated at Rs 6,62,690.93 crore and capital receipts at Rs 1,16,551.72 crore. The share of tax collection in revenue receipts is estimated at Rs 5,50,172.21 crore, which includes the state's own tax revenue of Rs 2,95,000 crore and its share in the central tax pool at Rs 2,55,172.21 crore. The total expenditure is estimated at R

Faecal coliform bacteria: What is it? How does it affect your health?

A recent Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report claimed that the river Ganga water is contaminated with faecal coliform bacteria; here's what is it and how it can impact your health

FIRs registered over sharing fake Kumbh video from Pakistan, says DIG

FIRs have been registered against social media handles for posting a video from Pakistan claiming it to be of the Kumbh area

Lending to MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh may surge 52% to Rs 4.5 trn in FY25

In the UP State Focus Paper prepared by Nabard, the state is projected to have a consolidated credit potential of ₹7.69 trillion in FY26 across priority sectors

UP to New Delhi: Yamuna's pollution crisis is a multi-state failure

Failure to build sewage treatment plants or keep them running well is choking the river

Kumbh's transient city raises lessons in urban planning and resilience

As the temporary metropolis comes to life, it raises profound questions about adaptability, sustainability, and what the cities of tomorrow can learn from one that refuses to stay

'Maha Kumbh water is safe': Yogi Adityanath rejects contamination report

CM Yogi Adityanath also criticised the Opposition for spreading 'misinformation' about the Maha Kumbh water being unfit for bathing

Schedule is based on muhurats: Prayagraj DM denies extension of Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj District Magistrate (DM) Ravindra Mandar on Tuesday categorically denied rumours circulating on social media regarding an extension of the Maha Kumbh Mela due to heavy crowds. Dismissing these claims, he clarified that the schedule of the event is determined on the basis of religious "muhurats" (auspicious timings) and remains unchanged. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26, in accordance with its pre-decided schedule, Mandar said. "According to (Uttar Pradesh) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions, the administration is ensuring a smooth travel and other arrangements for all the devotees. There is no proposal from the government or the district administration to extend the mela dates. Pilgrims should not pay heed to such misinformation," he said. The DM asserted that all necessary arrangements are in place for the remaining days of the Maha Kumbh to facilitate hassle-free bathing at the Triveni Sangam. The administration is also focused on traffic manageme