Page 28 - Uttar Pradesh

Wave, Agristo to invest Rs 750 cr in UP to expand potato processing plant

Wave Group and Belgium's Agristo NV will invest around Rs 750 crore to expand their potato processing plant in Uttar Pradesh to make premium french fries, amid rising global demand for processed food. In 2019, Wave Group firm Masa Global Food Pvt Ltd and Agristo's subsidiary firm IMSTO NV, Belgium had formed a 50:50 joint venture firm to establish a potato processing plant at Bijnor to make dehydrated potato flakes. The name of the joint venture firm is Agristo Masa Pvt Ltd. The plant started operations in 2022 with an annual capacity of 7,500 tonnes. In an interview with PTI, Wave Group Chairman Manpreet Singh Chadha noted that there is an immense growth potential in Indian food processing sector. He also stressed on the need to boost crop yields and processing capacity for augmenting farmers income. "We are setting up a new production line for export quality french fries at Bijnor," Chadha told PTI. He said the total investment on this expansion will be around Rs 750 crore, whi

Here's how Prayagraj learned to live with stories of Kumbh stampedes

"My uncle had saved his sister by pulling her out of the river waters by her hair as she slipped below amid the commotion," says city-based advocate Niranjan Lal recalling the 1954 Kumbh Mela stampede stories he had heard from his aunt who survived it. This was the first Kumbh in Allahabad after Independence, and the tragic incident took place on February 3 on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. According to official estimates, several hundred had died in the stampede. Seventy-one years later, a stampede took place on January 29, again on Mauni Amavasya day as a massive crowd sought to enter into the Triveni Sangam waters for the 'amrit snan'. Lal, 67, and his wife were camping in a Swiss cottage in Sector 6 of Mahakukbh Nagar, when they got a call from their son at home late night, cautioning them not to go to the Sangam due to the stampede. "We didn't step out from the camp until the sun came out, and at around 11 am, we went to Dashashwamedh Ghat on Ganga, located near Sector 6. The

They only indulge in Hindu-Muslim politics: Shivpal Yadav slams BJP in UP

"Inflation, unemployment and corruption, all three have increased, they have handed over the state to the bureaucracy, says Shivpal Yadav

Sambhal court rejects bail petitions of 17 accused in Nov 24 violence

A court in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday rejected the bail petition of 17 accused in the violence that took place here on November 24 last year, a government advocate said on Saturday. Additional District and Sessions Judge Nirbhay Narain Rai had on Thursday rejected 18 such bail applications. Till now, 65 bail petitions have been rejected in this case and the remaining petitions are to be heard on other dates, Additional District Government Advocate Hari Om Prakash Saini told PTI on Saturday. Saini also said, "We presented arguments before the honourable court that four innocent people have lost their lives in the incident of November 24. These accused used such means with the intention to kill the police, which included throwing stones, firing was also done. Police have identified the accused on the basis of video footage. "Bullets and other items have also been recovered from them. All these arguments were presented by me in the court, on the basis of which all

Four dead, several injured in collision on Agra-Lucknow expressway

Several others sustained injuries and were taken to Sandhya Hospital in Fatehabad for treatment

Fire tenders to deliver Sangam water across 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh

The Fire Department is using fire brigades to transport Sangam water to district headquarters for fire personnel and other officials who could not attend the Maha Kumbh

Allahabad HC directs ASI to clean Jama Masjid in Sambhal, no whitewashing

The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the premises of Jama Masjid in Sambhal but did not pass an order for whitewashing of the mosque. The order was passed by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal on an application by Committee of Management, Jama Masjid seeking permission for whitewashing and cleaning of the mosque ahead of Ramzan. On Thursday, the court directed the ASI to immediately inspect the mosque site and appoint a team of three officers who would submit a report in this connection by 10 am on Friday. According to the ASI report, the interior of the mosque has ceramic paint and there is no need to whitewash it at present. During the hearing on Friday, senior advocate S F A Naqvi, appearing for the mosque committee, submitted that they only want whitewashing and lighting work to be done. On this, the court asked the ASI to clean the dust and clear the grass on the premises. Naqvi assured the court that no hindrance will be cau

Rs 10,000 bonus, special medal, 7-day leave for 75k cops on Maha Kumbh duty

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a special Rs 10,000 bonus and the 'Maha Kumbh Seva Medal' for 75,000 police personnel who served during the "historic gathering", Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday. The personnel will also receive a one-week phased leave as a token of appreciation for their efforts in managing the grand religious event, he said. Speaking at a special event at the Ganga Mandapam, CM Adityanath praised the police force's patience and discipline, acknowledging the challenging crowd management during the 45-day pilgrimage. "Our personnel were even pushed by people at times but they displayed remarkable resilience and patience," he said. Describing the Maha Kumbh as the world's largest and most historic gathering, Adityanath credited its success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership and the collective efforts of the security personnel. He highlighted how the event seamlessly blended faith and economy, drawing 66.3 crore devotees

Not Sarkari Kumbh: Shankaracharya Saraswati Maharaj sets March 17 deadline

The full moon of the Magh month had passed, and all the 'Kalpavasi' who were at the Kumbh had already left after the Purnima of Magh month, Shankaracharya said

Uttar Pradesh eyes Rs 70K cr investment in electronics, data centres

The investments will catalyse the 'Make in UP' and 'Brand UP' vision, a senior state government official said

Teen, his parents held for 'anti-national slogans' during India-Pak match

According to police, around 9:30 pm, while the match was still ongoing, a man walking by the family's home claimed he heard the accused boy yelling those slogans

Maha Kumbh 2025 last day: Maha Shivratri rush at Sangam, police on alert

Maha Kumbh 2025 concludes with the final 'snan' on Maha Shivratri, as heavy footfall at Sangam turns Prayagraj into a no-vehicle zone, with security on high alert

UP govt tax revenue may rise 16% in FY26, indicating economic growth

The 16 per cent increase in the state's estimated tax revenue is higher than the growth of 11 per cent estimated by the Centre in the Union Budget FY26

No work should be done on Sambhal mosque without ASI approval: DM

A day after the Shahi Jama Masjid management sought the ASI's permission to redecorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan, the Sambhal administration on Monday said no work should be done without the agency's approval. Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali told reporters on Sunday that it had written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), seeking permission to clean, paint and decorate the mosque ahead of Ramzan. Asked about the management committee's letter to the ASI, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya told reporters that the matter was pending in court and the property belonged to the ASI. "The ASI has to take a decision. We have said that until the ASI grants permission, no one has the right to tamper with it (mosque) in any way," he said. "I don't think there is any need for painting this type of a disputed structure. Still, the ASI should take a decision. There is nothing from our side," he added. In its letter, management committee emphasised th

UP Board Exams 2025 begin today: Important guidelines for students, parents

A record 54.37 lakh students will appear for the UP Board examination for class 10 and class 12, which are scheduled to take place from February 24 to March 12 at 8,140 examination centres

Mahakumbh: 13 FIRs filed against 140 social handles for misleading content

All arrangements should run smoothly...No matter how big the crowd is, we are fully prepared, Mahakumbh Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna said

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