Page 7 - Yogi Adityanath

5 killed in rain-related incidents in UP, CM Yogi orders swift relief

Rains accompanied by hailstorm and lightning lashed some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, leaving five persons dead in Firozabad, Siddharth Nagar and Sitapur districts, officials said. State capital Lucknow was among the places, which received rains. Firozabad Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vishu Raja said that two people were killed due to lightning in the district. A 30-year-old pregnant woman Lalita Devi was killed after being struck by lightning in Daulatpur village of Narkhi area, while a 32-year-old man identified as Padav Veer Singh was killed in Chinari village of Jasrana area. The ADM said the family members of the deceased will be given financial assistance. Ghanshyam (40), a labourer, died after being struck by lightning in Siddharthnagar. The incident took place in Gaura Mangua village when he was going for work in rains, officials said. In Sitapur, two persons died in separate incidents due to heavy thunderstorms and lightning. Harishchandra (25) died due

IBM to set up AI-focused Software Lab in Lucknow to boost tech, jobs

US IT company IBM plans to establish a Software Lab in Lucknow focused on advancing Generative and agentic AI technologies, the company said on Tuesday. The lab will focus on developing AI-powered solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs) to address the evolving needs of businesses in India and globally, IBM said in a statement. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the new Software Lab in Lucknow will play a pivotal role in the state's economic growth through job creation and the engagement of local talent. "We plan to develop Lucknow as an AI city and position it as a hub for nurturing talent, fostering ideas and an AI ecosystem. IBM's proposed expansion in Lucknow aligns with our mission to further grow the technology sector, improve workforce skills training and create job opportunities for the state's youth," Adityanath said. IBM India and South Asia Managing Director Sandip Patel said the expansion of IBM's Software Lab in Uttar

Simultaneous polls can become reality by 2034, says UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday claimed simultaneous polls could become a reality by 2034 and added those guided by the "nation first" mantra would back the move, even as he appealed for a "mass awareness" drive. A 39-member parliamentary panel is scrutinising two bills on simultaneous elections, including one for amending the Constitution. "There should be a mass awareness campaign on one nation, one election. If you run into critics, tell them this is our country, one nation, one election-induced political stability would be for our benefit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat and ask why they are so worked up over it," Adityanath said at a function in Lucknow. "If you give this reply and lead a mass awareness drive, simultaneous elections will become a reality by 2034," he added. Adityanath also called for a simultaneous push to the one nation, one election campaign on social media. "Talk about all aspects

UP to be prosperous in next 3 years by wiping out poverty: CM Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said Uttar Pradesh will emerge as a prosperous state in the next three years by eradicating poverty and his government will make the state's economy number one in the country. Addressing an event here, he attacked previous governments, saying they encouraged "one district, one mafia" while the BJP dispensation replaced it with "one district, one medical college". Adityanath thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament, claiming it would put a check on the "loot" being carried out in the name of the Waqf board. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister was in Maharajganj for the inauguration of the Rohin Barrage. He also laid the foundation stones of and inaugurated 629 developmental projects worth Rs 654 crore, according to the state government. "In the next three years, Uttar Pradesh will be established as a prosperous state by eradicating poverty. We will

Towns, small cities contribute nearly 35% of Uttar Pradesh's total startups

UP - with more than 14,000 startups - is among India's leading startup ecosystems

CM Adityanath accuses Waqf Board of encroachment, calls it 'land mafia'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Waqf Board, accusing it of land encroachments and asserting that its "arbitrary claims" over public and historical sites would no longer be tolerated. Speaking at a gathering in Prayagraj, Adityanath said, "The Waqf Board had been making baseless claims over lands across cities. Even during the preparations for the Kumbh Mela, they declared that the event's land belonged to them. We had to ask - ?has the Waqf Board turned into a land mafia?" He emphasised that under his government, such encroachments had been removed, and mafias had been driven out of Uttar Pradesh. "Encroachments were made in the name of Waqf at various places, including the sacred land associated with Nishad Raj. But this will not be allowed to continue. A grand and divine Kumbh Mela was organised despite their objections," he said. The chief minister also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Sha

States engaging in language politics are on the decline: Yogi Adityanath

Slamming language politics, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said learning different languages did not diminish the importance of a state and asserted that his government schools taught Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi to its students. In an interview with PTI, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh was on the rise and creating employment opportunities for the youngsters and the states whose leaders were engaged in politics over language were on a gradual decline. He asserted that learning different languages does not diminish the importance of any state and the Uttar Pradesh government was teaching languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali and Marathi to its students. "Does this diminish Uttar Pradesh in any way? Does it make UP look small," he asked. Adityanath said languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali or Marathi can become the cornerstone of national unity. He said huge employment opportunities were being creat

Politics not a full-time job for me; no differences with top leaders: UP CM

Politics is not a full-time occupation for him and he remains a Yogi at heart, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said, parrying a query about a section of people seeing in him as the future prime minister of India. In an interview with PTI, Adityanath dismissed reports about differences between him and BJP's central leaders, noting that he is in the chief minister's chair because of the party. "Can I remain in the chair by having differences with the party's central leaders," Adityanath asked, adding that he cannot shut the mouth of anyone stoking speculation about such differences. To a question on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) support for him, he said the Hindutva organisation backs anyone who is "committed to Bharat" and will inspire those who are not to turn to the right path. The chief minister said his primary role is serving the people of Uttar Pradesh, as entrusted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "I am the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and

Roads not for namaz, others should learn discipline from Hindus: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has defended his administration's warning to Muslims against offering namaz on streets, saying roads are meant for the movement of traffic. He also told Muslims to learn religious discipline from Hindus who took part in the massive Maha Kumbh mela without any incident of crime, destruction or harassment. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Adityanath slammed critics of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He said Waqf boards have become a den of selfish interests as well as "loot khasot" (property grabbing), and have done little for the welfare of Muslims. Citing examples of charity in fields like education and health by Hindu temples and mutts, he asked if any Waqf board has done welfare work like this despite having properties many times more. Forget about the entire society, have Waqf properties been used for any welfare of Muslims, he asked. He said, "It (Waqf) has become a medium to capture any government property. This reform is the need of t

Govt creating obstacles in people celebrating Eid freely: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged the BJP-led government was creating obstacles in people celebrating Eid freely, and accused the ruling party of flouting the Constitution and undermining democracy. "The biggest threat today is to democracy and the Constitution," Yadav told reporters outside Aishbagh Eidgah on the day of Eid. "And I am saying this with full responsibility', even though I shouldn't have to, ?that the BJP is not running the country as per the Constitution." Yadav alleged the BJP government was creating obstacles in people celebrating Eid freely. He pointed to heightened security measures at Eidgahs and mosques, claiming they were excessive and unnecessary. "You all have been covering Eid for years, but have you ever seen such large-scale barricading before?" he asked. He also claimed that police deliberately stopped his convoy for half an hour without any valid reason. "When I asked why I was being held up, no official had an answer. What sho

Heinous crimes in state see 85% fall in last 8 years, claims UP govt

The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has improved in the last eight years, with heinous crimes such as dacoity, robbery, riots, murder, kidnapping and rape falling 85 per cent, the state government said in a statement on Sunday. According to police records, robbery incidents have dropped by 84.41 per cent as compared to 2016, while loot cases dropped by 77.43 per cent. A similar reduction has been observed in crimes like kidnapping, dowry-related murders and rape, the statement said. The Yogi Adityanath government's zero-tolerance policy and the proactive approach of law enforcement agencies, backed by modern surveillance techniques like CCTV monitoring, has been instrumental in apprehending criminals, it said. The state government has also launched largescale operations against mafia, gangsters and land-grabbers, seizing illegal assets worth over Rs 142 billion. Cases have been registered against 68 mafia leaders and their 1,500 associates, with 617 criminals arrested and t

UP govt bans sale of meat within 500 m of religious places during Navratri

Ahead of the commencement of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival on Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the closure of illegal slaughterhouses and a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places. Special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned. Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Amrit Abhijat has directed all the District Magistrates, Police Commissioners and Municipal Commissioners to immediately close the slaughterhouses and enforce the ban on meat sale near religious places, the UP government said in a statement on Saturday. Citing the orders issued in 2014 and 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has clarified that illegal animal slaughter and sale of meat near religious places will be completely prohibited. To make this decision effective, district-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of district magistrates. These will

'Political comedy': Stalin on Yogi's remarks on delimitation, language row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister further said that the state is opposing 'language imposition' and 'chauvinism', not any particular language

SC stays Allahabad HC order, Yogi Adityanath, Trump’s tariff, Signal chat leak & more

The Supreme Court today paused a controversial order by the Allahabad High Court that held "grabbing breasts" and "breaking the strings of a girl's pyjamas" don't constitute rape or attempt to rape.

Yogi Adityanath defends bulldozer action, says 'law speaks their language'

Yogi Adityanath defends bulldozer action, says law must be enforced firmly, questions religious site disputes, and asserts that Muslims are safest in Uttar Pradesh

'It was Mrityunjay Mahakumbh, not Mrityu Kumbh', says UP CM Adityanath

UP CM claimed that the West Bengal government was intimidated by the massive influx of devotees from Bengal to Prayagraj, with 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims arriving daily

UP saw more development in 8 years than in 70 years: CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that his government has ensured more development of the state in the last eight years than achieved in 70 years before that. He said that his government replaced the previous administration's policy of "one district, one mafia" with "one district, one medical college", transforming the lives of people across the state. Speaking at an event in Gorakhpur, marking eight years of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state, Adityanath highlighted the state's progress since 2017. He said similar programmes were being held across Uttar Pradesh to showcase the development initiatives and policy reforms undertaken in the last eight years. "Earlier, the state lagged in development, youth struggled with an identity crisis, and unemployment and hunger drove people to despair. Women and traders felt unsafe. Today, Uttar Pradesh is self-reliantexecuting major development projects, making it one of the countr

Unemployment down, per capita GDP up since 2017: UP CM on 8 yrs of govt

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday highlighted Uttar Pradesh's economic progress and welfare initiatives as he marked eight years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state. He noted that the unemployment rate had significantly dropped, per capita income had risen, and UP was on its way to becoming a USD 1 trillion economy. "The unemployment rate in Uttar Pradesh has come down to less than 3 per cent now from 19 per cent in 2016," Adityanath said at a press conference in Lucknow. He added that per capita income, which was Rs 46,000 in 2017, has now reached Rs 1,24,000, showcasing a strong economic turnaround. Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh had transformed from a deficit economy into a revenue-surplus state. "We have not imposed any additional taxes on the public, yet we have delivered significant economic results," he said. The state's banking sector has also expanded, with banking transactions now totalling Rs 29.66 lakh crore. Highlighting ...

UP transformed from struggling state to economic powerhouse in 8 yrs: CM

Uttar Pradesh, once considered a laggard state, has now become India's engine of economic progress, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow to mark eight years of the National Democratic Alliance government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, he credited "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies of service, security and good governance" for the state's progress. Adityanath recalled that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was categorised among India's lagging regions, or the 'BIMARU' states. However, in the last eight years, it has emerged as the driving force of the nation's economy, leading across multiple sectors, he emphasised. The chief minister said that before 2017, agriculture was completely neglected in Uttar Pradesh. Farmers had been struggling, and the sector was on a decline. Reforms under the "double-engine government" changed the situation significantly, he said. The state's agricultural growth rate, which was around 5 per cent i

Glorifying invaders act of treason, 'new India' won't accept it: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said glorifying invaders who attacked India's heritage and dishonoured its people was equivalent to treason, which the 'new India' will never accept. Amid the ongoing controversy over demands to remove Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Adityanath warned against celebrating historical figures who sought to destroy Sanatan culture. Addressing a public gathering in Bahraich, Adityanath said, "Glorifying invaders means strengthening the very roots of treason. New India will never accept those who insult our great ancestors and praise those who attacked our civilisation, violated our women, and struck at our faith." "When the entire world is acknowledging India's rich heritage, it is the duty of every citizen to uphold respect for our great leaders, and not eulogise those who sought to erase our identity," he added. Adityanath's remarks came as he spoke on the recently-concluded Mah