Page 8 - Uttar Pradesh

PM Modi expresses grief over sculptor Ram Sutar's death, hails his legacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday mourned the death of noted sculptor Ram Sutar, and said his works will always be admired as powerful expressiion of India's history and culture. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Ram Sutar Ji, a remarkable sculptor whose mastery gave India some of its most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Unity in Kevadia," Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister said Sutar's workd will always be admired as powerful expressions of India's history, culture and collective spirit. "He has immortalised national pride for generations to come. His works will keep inspiring artists and citizens alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, admirers and all who were touched by his remarkable life and work. Om Shanti," Modi said. Sutar, 100, breathed his last at this residence in Uttar Pradesh's Noida on late Wednesday night.

Uttar Pradesh govt logs ₹35,000 cr excise revenue, 55% of annual target

The annual target of the state excise department is ₹63,000 cr in revenue; in the first eight months, the state has logged nearly 55% of this target at ₹35,144 cr

Uttar Pradesh leads India in crypto adoption, tops invested value in 2025

India's crypto boom is led by non-metro regions; Tier-III and IV towns account for 43.4 per cent of activity, Tier-II add 32.2 per cent, while Tier-I cities make up about a quarter of participation

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary named new UP BJP chief

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary was on Sunday named the new president of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit, with his election being formally announced by Union Minister Piyush Goyal here. The announcement was made in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Chaudhary filed his nomination for the post on Saturday and was the sole candidate in the fray. He submitted the papers to former Union minister and BJP state election officer Mahendra Nath Pandey and central election observer Vinod Tawde. Adityanath, his two deputies, and Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh were present during the filing of the nomination. A seven-time Lok Sabha MP from the Maharajganj constituency, Chaudhary belongs to the Kurmi community, categorised under Other Backwards Classes (OBC). He is considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

BJP set to elect new UP prez; senior leaders to file nominations on Dec 14

With the nomination phase formally beginning Saturday, the BJP is poised to unveil its new Uttar Pradesh chief on Sunday

UP to open 50 urad procurement centres, MSP set at ₹7,800 per quintal

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday said the NAFED is set to open 50 urad procurement centres across 17 districts of the state, where farmers will be able to sell their produce at a minimum support price of Rs 7,800 per quintal. Registration has already started, and procurement will begin shortly, it said in a statement. Payments will be transferred directly to the farmers' bank accounts within three working days of the sale, it said. Under the Aatmanirbhar Dal Yojana of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), direct procurement from farmers will continue until January 29, 2026. The initiative guarantees fair price and eliminates middlemen from the process, the statement said. NAFED state head Rohit Jaiman said that under the guidance of its Managing Director Deepak Agarwal, the entire system is being implemented swiftly, simply and with a strong farmer-first approach, ensuring that every eligible farmer benefits. Procurement preparations a

ED raids 25 sites across states in probe into UP illegal cough syrup racket

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday raided multiple locations in various states as part of a money laundering investigation against an alleged illegal cough syrup trade racket in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. The searches are covering 25 premises in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh apart from those located in Ranchi and Ahmedabad, they said. The federal probe agency has booked a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe the alleged illegal trade. Locations linked to absconding main accused Shubham Jaiswal and his alleged associates Alok Singh, Amit Singh and some others, cough syrup manufacturers and a Chartered Accountant (CA) Vishnu Aggarwal are being raided, according to ED officials. The ED action is based on about 30 UP Police FIRs that were registered after the state government took cognisance of incidents related to misuse of codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS), their illegal manufacturing, trade and transport ...

UP's electric vehicle tax review sparks fresh jitters among automakers

Uttar Pradesh is the second-largest car market in India by volume, but when it comes to EV sales, the state currently ranks eighth

Uttar Pradesh govt funnels 11 new FDI proposals worth ₹13,610 crore

The US, Japan, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Singapore are among the state's key global investment partners

World Bank approves funds to help UP, Haryana improve air quality

The programmes are aimed at reducing air pollution through airshed-based planning, clean mobility, improved cooking access and multisector green transitions

Uttar Pradesh govt aims to set up three electronics hubs in hinterland

UP plans three new semiconductor and electronics hubs-beyond Noida-to expand high-value manufacturing and attract global investments under a PPP-led industrial strategy

UP's $1 trillion target gathers steam as state revives transformation panel

State government has operationalised the UP State Transformation Commission and tasked it with the job of catalysing growth

Ram temple's foundation, its construction key moments in my life: UP CM

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday termed the laying of the foundation of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, its construction and the recent hoisting of the "Dharamdhwaj" as an "important moment" in his life. He also asserted that the BJP will be winning the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, and its preparations are underway. Responding to queries at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi on Saturday, Adityanath said, "I am the first Chief Minister to have served for such a long time in a large state like Uttar Pradesh." He said that it is also associated with him that after working for 5 years, the people have elected them again, which has happened for the first time. "Our government worked from 2017 to 2022, and in 2022, we won again with a thumping majority and formed the government," Adityanath said and added that preparations to win the 2027 assembly elections are on. When asked to list one of his works, which he would term a masterstroke, Aditya

Will establish measures to protect Ambedkar statues: UP CM Adityanath

CM Yogi announced a series of measures to protect Ambedkar statues and strengthen welfare initiatives for marginalised communities

Varanasi police deploy next-gen drones for Kashi Tamil Sangamam security

The Varanasi district police have stepped up surveillance for the ongoing fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam by deploying an advanced fleet of new-generation drones. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Varanasi Commissionerate Saravanan Thangamani, a dedicated 10-member drone team is ensuring the safety and protection of the people visiting the venue. "We are using new-generation drones. Last year, there was usage of drones but it was minimal. We are using the three types of drones which are mini drones, micro drones and nano drones," he told PTI here. Highlighting the role of the drone fleet, he said the Mini Drone is unique as it can be self-charged, allowing round-the-clock operations unlike other battery-dependent models. "This drone has the capability to run 24x7 and ensure constant surveillance in a region," he explained. On the 'Macro Drone', the official said it is capable of monitoring a vast 2 km area. "It can cover a larger area and will be used in the jungl

SC grants 1 week interim protection to petitioners facing demolition in UP

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim protection for a week to two petitioners facing demolition of properties in Uttar Pradesh, and directed that status quo be maintained by the parties till then. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked the petitioners, who said that partial demolition of their residential or marriage hall premises was already carried out by the authorities, to approach the Allahabad High Court for appropriate order. The bench said it is granting interim protection for a week considering that partial demolition has already been affected. "Further considering the aforesaid fact, we grant interim protection for a period of one week from today as status quo would be maintained by the parties," the bench said. The top court made clear that interim protection granted by it would not influence the high court in entertaining the petition and considering the prayer for stay on its own merits. The bench passed the order while hearing a plea seeking

UP CM urges citizens to help build 'barrier-free India' for disables

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged people and officials to work with sensitivity and commitment to create a barrier-free India for persons with disabilities. Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Vishwa Divyang Diwas (International Day of Persons with Disabilities), the chief minister said, " Let us be sensitive, let us be supportive. Let us honestly fulfil our role in building a barrier-free India for 'divyangjan' (persons with disabilities)." "I want to say only one thing -- every small effort can bring a new change," he added. Adityanath said 'divyangjan' remain an essential part of the nation's strength. You are no less than anyone. Your courage, talent and success are the strength of a new India. The government and society stand firmly with you. With full confidence, I assure you that every kind of support will be provided, he said. He added that the state government is committed to ensuring that all schemes and benefits meant for 'divyangjan'

Cough syrup case: 4th man arrested from Lucknow for illegal storage, trade

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force arrested a man from Lucknow on Tuesday in connection with illegal storage and trade of banned cough syrup and other drugs containing codeine, police said. According to a statement issued by the office of the Director General of Police, the Special Task Force (STF) had been receiving information about the illegal storage and trade of Phensedyl cough syrup and other drugs containing codeine for use as intoxicants. The informants revealed that these drugs were being sent to other parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Following this, the STF and the Food Safety and Pharmaceuticals Department formed a joint investigation committee, which subsequently recovered a large quantity of illicit Phensedyl cough syrup. A case was registered at Sushant Golf City police station following this. During investigation, the STF arrested two accused, Vibhor Rana and Vishal Singh, on November 12. Another accused, Am

Uttar Pradesh eyes global investment in BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing

The Yogi Adityanath government is pitching UP as a major GCC hub, with Lucknow, Noida, Kanpur and Agra at the core of its pitch

SIR drive in Bareilly reconnects estranged sons, daughters with parents

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly has reopened long-shut doors, nudging several people, estranged after love marriages, to call home again after years for their old voter details. Snehlata (40), a resident of Jogi Nawada, had severed ties with her parents 15 years ago, when she left with her partner Omkar Chaudhary. After her family lodged an FIR, she appeared before the court and stated in favour of Chaudhary, following which she cut off all contact with her parents. During the ongoing SIR drive, officials asked her for her EPIC ID based on the 2003 voter list. Unable to recall the details, Snehlata finally dialled her parents after years of silence, seeking information from the old electoral roll. Deputy district election officer/additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) said such cases are surfacing frequently during the verification exercise. especially those linked to love marriages. However, the process .