Page 64 - Uttar Pradesh

UP 'lost its identity' during tenure of previous govts: CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday attacked the previous governments stating that they "imposed curfews" while the double engine government "held kanwar yatras". The chief minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 513 crore in the district. "How can we talk of development and don't discuss education and health in it. Previous governments did the same. They first spoiled the system of education and destroyed the arguments for health,' he said in his address at the event. "They made businessmen and daughters insecure. Riots began to happen. The curfews and riots surrounded the state and a problem of identity crisis appeared before the youth. Entrepreneurs started leaving the state. Nepotism entered into development works and slowly this state with unlimited potential lost its identity." Adityanath went on to add, "The previous governments imposed curfews, we started kanwar yatras. They looted earnings and provided jobs to the youth

CM Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati pay tributes to Kanshi Ram

Senior politicians, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, paid tributes to prominent Dalit leader and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary on Friday. "Humble tributes to Kanshi Ram, who fought throughout his life for the rights and overall development of the Dalits, the deprived and the exploited, on his birth anniversary," Adityanath said in a post in Hindi on X. Paying tributes to her mentor, BSP supremo Mayawati said in a post in Hindi on X: "Immense reverence and respect to honourable Kanshi Ram, who gave strength to the caravan of self-respect that was scattered after the demise of B R Ambedkar, on his 90th birthday. The missionary goal of social transformation and economic progress he achieved for the 'Bahujan samaj' by establishing the Bahujan Samaj Party and obtaining the master key of power in Uttar Pradesh through his continuous struggle is historic and incomparable." She added that it will be a true tribute to Kanshi Ram

ED carries out searches against ex-UP Minister Gayatri Prajapati, family

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided over a dozen locations in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra as part of an ongoing money money laundering investigation against former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati and his family members, official sources said. A total of 14 premises in Lucknow and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai in Maharashtra are being covered. Raids are being carried out at Prajapati's house in Lucknow, the sources said. The money laundering case, filed by the ED in 2021, stems from an Uttar Pradesh vigilance department FIR against Prajapati and those linked to him on charges of illegal sand mining and possession of disproportionate assets among others. The central agency had in January attached four Mumbai flats and multiple land parcels in Lucknow, worth more than Rs 13 crore of Prajapati, his family members and associates. The action came after the ED conducted searches. Prajapati, while holding the post of mining minister of Uttar Prades

UP has unlimited potential, some people turned it 'bimaru': CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed previous governments on Wednesday, saying they turned the state "bimaru (sick)" in spite of its unlimited potential. He also said there was a time when no one was ready to invest in Uttar Pradesh, but the state has now emerged as a superior destination for investment in the country. Speaking at a mega loan distribution programme of the Ministry of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) here in the state capital, Adityanath said, "Uttar Pradesh is a state of unlimited potential.... Some people turned the state bimaru in spite of the that unlimited potential." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said when the "double-engine" government came to power, a reference to the party being in power both at the Centre and in the state, this "unlimited potential was linked to the campaign for the country's progress and development of youngsters and entrepreneurs under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". Adityanath said o

Vi surrenders partial spectrum in Uttar Pradesh east, West Bengal

Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea has surrendered partial spectrum in 900 and 1800 Mhz band that were due for renewal in 2024. While the amount of spectrum surrendered by Vodafone Idea could not be ascertained, sources indicated it to be around 12 megahertz in both bands. When contacted, Vodafone Idea spokesperson said, "Upon assessing our usage and needs, we have surrendered some spectrum in both West Bengal and UP East. We remain committed to providing seamless services to our customers while also focussing on optimising for operational efficiency and future growth". Separately, in an investor presentation, VIL said it has completed the minimum roll out requirement for 5G services in 4 telecom circles, and the company has a target to cover 40 per cent of revenues population coverage with 5G in the first 24-30 months.

Apollo Hospitals Group launches emergency medical centre in Ayodhya

The Apollo Hospitals Group on Monday announced the launch of a state-of-the-art multi-specialty emergency medical centre at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi pilgrimage site in Ayodhya. Talking about the advanced services of the centre, Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Pratap C. Reddy said that a wide range of better medical services will be available in the centre. These range from basic first aid to medical emergency services, including heart attack and stroke, he said, according to a statement issued by the hospital. Dr Reddy also said that the centre will also have 24x7 critical care support and ICU backup for both adults and children. The construction work of this hospital will start soon. According to the statement, online super specialty consultation will be available at the centre through the latest telemedicine technology. Through this, the patient's access to specialists will become very easy. The Emergency Medical Center will be constructed in an area of approximately 5,000

The North-South divide: The 'fiscal injustice' rhetoric is biased

It should not be forgotten that in the 1950s and 1960s, the North Indian states subsidised Southern and Western India as part of the cooperative model of nation-building

Rs 5K cr set aside for green hydrogen production in Uttar Pradesh

The policy, recently approved by the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet, will support startups dedicated to green hydrogen research and production

PM Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi, visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Arriving here days after being made BJP nominee for Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the third time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a rousing reception at the Varanasi airport on Saturday. BJP workers and locals lined up on the roads outside the airport from where Modi began a 28-km long roadshow during which he also stopped at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, senior party leaders and office bearers were present at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Babatpur to welcome the prime minister. BJP regional chief Dilip Patel said that Varanasi district and metropolitan unit made elaborate arrangements for Modi's visit. The locals, including women and children, showered flowers on the prime minister during the roadshow amid playing of drums, he said. Modi is also scheduled to visit Atulanand School located in Gilat Bazaar and Kabir Chaura, among other places on the route of the roadshow, Patel said. Patel said the prime minister will ma

CM Yogi warns officials against negligence in resolving people's issues

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday warned the officials against any laxity or negligence in resolving the issues of people and emphasized that addressing the problems of the people and ensuring its prompt, transparent and satisfactory disposal is his government's priority. Adityanath issued these instructions to the officials while hearing the problems of around 500 people at the Janta Darshan held outside the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhnath temple complex here, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement. Referring to the people's applications to the concerned authorities, Adityanath instructed for prompt disposal of all their issues. He assured the people that no injustice would be done to anyone during his tenure and underscored the government's determination to solve the problems of every victim. The chief minister also instructed the officials to take strict legal action against those bullying the poor and encroaching on the people's

Money Laundering case: ED raids premises of SP MLA Irfan Solanki in Kanpur

The ED on Thursday raided premises linked to Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki and some of his family members in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. The premises of the incarcerated four-time MLA from Sisamau and others are being raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA, the Enforcement Directorate sources said. Solanki (44) has been lodged in the Maharajganj prison since December 2022 in connection with several criminal cases. The MLA and his brother Rizwan were arrested for allegedly harassing a woman and setting her house on fire in a bid to grab her plot. They had surrendered before police. Later, police slapped the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act against them and three others.

PM Modi virtually inaugurates Agra Metro, CM Yogi takes inaugural ride

The Agra Metro is the sixth metro running in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the construction of the primary underground section was supposed to take 32 months, but it was completed in just 23 months

UP Cabinet expansion: NDA partners with SBSP, RLD gets representation

Four new ministers were inducted on Tuesday in the Council headed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as NAD partners SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar and RLD's Anil Kumar were administered the oath of office alongside two BJP leaders. They were sworn in as ministers by Governor Anandiben Patel at the Raj Bhavan in the presence of Adityanath. Apart from SBSP's Rajbhar and RLD's Kumar, Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma from the BJP are the new entrants into the state Cabinet, in what is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its position in several regions of the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While Rajbhar represents the Zahoorabad assembly constituency of the Ghazipur district, Anil Kumar is an MLA from Purkazi (SC) in Muzaffarnagar. Sunil Kumar Sharma is the BJP MLA from Sahibabad assembly constituency in Ghaziabad district. Dara Singh Chauhan is a member of the UP Legislative Council. This is the first Cabinet expansion in Adityanath's

UP approves green hydrogen policy, setting up of 800 MW thermal plants

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved a green hydrogen policy, and a proposal for setting up two units of 800 MW in Anpara in collaboration with NTPC at a cost of Rs 8,624 crore. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "So far, hydrogen production technology has relied on electricity or gas, known as gray hydrogen. A significant effort is now underway to transition from gray hydrogen to green hydrogen. The policy outlines an ambitious goal to produce one million metric tonne of green hydrogen annually within the next 4 years, by 2028," an official release quoted Energy Minister AK Sharma as saying. The green hydrogen policy has been set for 5 years. Industries establishing themselves within this timeframe will receive subsidies and other incentives totalling Rs 5,045 crore. "These industries will be eligible for subsidies ranging from 10 to 30 per cent on capital expenditure, with the first five industries enjoying ...

UP waives electricity bills of farmers with private tube wells from April 1

In a major decision, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to waive electricity bills of farmers with private tube wells with retrospective effect from April 1, 2023. The decision taken at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will benefit around 1.5 crore farmers, an official release said. The government has provided Rs 1,800 crore in the 2024-25 budget for implementation of the scheme. Furthermore, the government has put forth a proposal for a scheme aimed at assisting farmers with outstanding electricity bills predating April 1, 2023, in bill settlement without accruing interest and offering them convenient installment options. Energy Minister A K Sharma said through this decision the government has kept its promise of providing 100 per cent exemption from power tariffs to the farmers owning private tube wells in the state. A total of 14.78 lakh tubewells will benefit from the decision of the Cabinet. According to Sharma, on average, 8-10

'CM Yogi likely to expand UP cabinet today with 2 new BJP ministers'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is likely to expand his cabinet on Tuesday with the induction of two new faces from the BJP, one from RLD and another from Om Prakash Rajbhar's party SBSP, sources in the Chief Minister's Office said. This will be the first cabinet expansion in Adityanath's second term as chief minister. Sources said that BJP leader Dara Singh Chauhan, who returned to the saffron party after a stint with the Samajwadi Party last year, and BJP MLA from Sahibabad Sunil Kumar Sharma are likely to be ministers. RLD MLA from Purakzi in Muzaffarnagar district Anil Kumar and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief OP Rajbhar are also likely to take oath this evening. Adityanath assumed office for his second term as chief minister in 2022.

Paper leak case: UP govt removes state police recruitment board chief

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday removed Renuka Mishra as the chairperson of the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board amid allegations of the question paper of a constable recruitment examination being leaked. Mishra has been put on the "wait list" after her removal from the post and Director Vigilance Rajiv Krishna given the additional responsibility of the board, official sources said. Following allegations of paper leak, the state government had on February 24 cancelled the police constable recruitment examination held on February 17 and 18, and ordered a re-test within six months. More than 48 lakh candidates appeared for the examination. The government had also announced that a Special Task Force (STF) would probe the allegations.

UP CM Yogi to hold Cabinet meeting today; likely to approve 21 proposals

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold a cabinet meeting at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on Tuesday

NDA partner RLD declares candidates for Bijnor, Baghpat in UP for LS polls

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which formally joined the NDA last week, declared its candidates on two seats - Bijnor and Baghpat - from Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha elections. The senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner BJP had announced 51 candidates from the state on Saturday. According to a post on X, Chandan Chauhan will be RLD's candidate from Bijnor and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan from Baghpat constituencies. While Chauhan is a sitting MLA of the party from Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar, Sangwan is a senior leader and national secretary of the party. He has been associated with the RLD since the time of Chaudhary Ajit Singh. In the previous elections, BJP's Satyapal Singh had won from Baghpat, defeating RLD chief Jayant Singh while BSP's Malook Nagar had won Bijnor. There is, however, no clarity on the number of seats RLD will be getting to contest in the alliance. On Saturday, Jayant Singh had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J P Nadda and ..

Nippon India Mutual Fund looking to increase presence in UP: CEO Sikka

Nippon India Mutual Fund is looking to increase its presence, both physical and digital, in Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to be the flag bearer for the mutual fund industry, its CEO said on Monday. Asserting that Uttar Pradesh will be the "flag bearer" of the mutual fund industry, Sundeep Sikka, the ED and CEO of Nippon India Mutual Fund said that the company remains "committed to UP". Sikka, who was in Lucknow to inaugurate the new regional office, told PTI, "UP is the fastest-growing market in India. The national average is that the mutual fund industry has grown 17 per cent, and the UP market has grown 23 per cent in the last five years. And we believe that UP will be the flag bearer for the mutual fund industry." "We are happy to serve 20 lakh investors in UP, and want to increase our digital and physical presence in the state," Sikka said. The company is already present in 31 locations in Uttar Pradesh. The company is inaugurating a new regional office of Nippon Life India