Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya:A large-scale fraud has been uncovered in the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district, with funds being disbursed to accounts of deceased farmers. Authorities have confirmed that several beneficiaries have been illegally receiving payments despite being ineligible. According to Dr. P.K. Kanaujia, Deputy Director of Agriculture, 37,638 registered farmers in the district were found to be either deceased or receiving funds in violation of scheme rules. “Out of a total of 4,41,000 farmers in the district, 4,26,707 have been verified as registered under the scheme,” Dr. Kanaujia stated. “Among them, over 37,000 were found to be unlawfully receiving installments. Immediate action has been taken to suspend further payments, and recovery proceedings for the disb...

Gorakhpur:In a decisive move following a high-profile case involving the rape of a minor and her trafficking to multiple spa centres, six police officials in Gorakhpur have been suspended, and five station in-charges are under departmental inquiry. The action comes after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered strict measures against lapses in police handling of the case. The incident involves a minor girl who was lured from her home on January 5 by a friend she met on Instagram. She was first taken to a hotel in Karimnagar, then to an unlicensed spa in Betiya Hata, and finally to a spa in Badhhalganj. During this period, the girl was reportedly psychologically manipulated and coerced by her boyfriend and spa operators. CCTV footage examined so far has not shown direct physical coercion,...

Lucknow:The Uttar Pradesh government has rejected the resignation of PCS officer Alankar Agnihotri, who was serving as City Magistrate in Bareilly, and has instead placed him under suspension, ordering a departmental inquiry for alleged violation of service conduct rules. The action comes amid heightened political and administrative controversy in the state over the UGC’s new regulations and remarks related to Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand. On Monday, Agnihotri tendered his resignation in protest, while on Tuesday, Prashant Kumar, Deputy Commissioner in the State Tax Department posted in Ayodhya, also submitted his resignation, expressing anguish over comments made against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, th...

Lucknow:With the wedding season set to begin from February 5, expenses for social and ceremonial events in Lucknow are expected to rise sharply after the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) approved a significant increase in the rent of Kalyan Mandaps and community centres. The decision is likely to place an additional financial burden on residents planning marriages and social gatherings. The decision was approved during the Municipal Corporation’s General House meeting on Tuesday. As per officials, the revised rates will come into effect immediately after the meeting minutes are formally signed. According to the new decision, the rent of Kalyan Mandaps has been increased by 40 percent, while the rental charges for several community centres have been doubled. Additionally, license f...

Hathras:In a deeply disturbing incident, a 27-year-old man preparing for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, allegedly after battling prolonged depression. Before taking the extreme step, the youth wrote a suicide note on his hand, holding himself responsible for the decision and referring to his deteriorating mental health. The incident took place on Tuesday evening in Aashirwad Dham Colony under the jurisdiction of Sadar Kotwali police station. The deceased has been identified as Nagendra Pratap Singh alias Bobby, the only son of Hari Singh, who is currently posted with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). According to police sources, Nagendra was alone at home at the time of the incident, as his father and other family m...

Baghpat:In a tragic incident highlighting the growing concern over cardiac issues among young people, an 18-year-old NEET aspirant died of a suspected heart attack while studying at her home in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district. The incident occurred in Rampur locality of Khekra town, where Simran Sharma, daughter of Dr. Surinder Kaur Sharma, was preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Simran had passed her Class 12 examination last year and was working hard to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. According to family members, Simran was studying alone in her room on Monday evening. At around 8 pm, her brother Raghav entered the room and found her lying on the floor beside the bed. Her body was reportedly drenched in sweat. The family immediately checked her...

Lucknow:Weather conditions have changed across Uttar Pradesh, with rain, drizzle, and hailstorm activity affecting several districts and bringing a sharp increase in cold conditions. Light rain and hail were reported on Tuesday in Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and several parts of Purvanchal, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures. Early Wednesday morning, Lucknow witnessed intermittent drizzle, while cloudy skies and rainfall continued in parts of the National Capital Region. According to the Meteorological Department, rain and hailstorms are likely in many districts of the state today (Wednesday), accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorm activity. The recent spell of rain and overcast skies has intensified the winter chill across the region. Rainfall Brings Temperature Drop ...

Lucknow:The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between India and the European Union is set to unlock vast economic opportunities for Uttar Pradesh, significantly strengthening exports, investments, and employment generation across the state. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the agreement provides Indian exporters easier access to the European Union’s 27 countries and a consumer base of nearly 450 million people. Experts believe the agreement is particularly crucial for labour-intensive states like Uttar Pradesh, where millions of artisans, farmers, small manufacturers, and MSMEs form the backbone of the economy. Under the FTA, tariffs on several products will be reduced or eliminated, making UP-made goods more affordable and competitive in European markets. Big Ga...

Prayagraj:The Kinnar Akhada has expelled actress Mamta Kulkarni from its fold following her controversial remarks related to Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand. The decision was announced by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the head of the Kinnar Akhada, who stated that questioning or insulting any religious tradition is unacceptable. Clarifying the Akhada’s stand, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi said she does not wish to take sides in the Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand controversy. “I am neither calling anyone right nor wrong,” she said. “However, I felt deeply hurt by the incident in which the traditional hair tuft (choti) of young Brahmin students was pulled during the fair. No one has the right to insult or question another’s religious traditions.” She further stated tha...

Mathura: In a serious security lapse, five adolescent girls escaped under suspicious circumstances from the Government Girls Protection Home located in Chaitanya Vihar, Vrindavan, late Monday night, triggering alarm among district authorities and the police. The girls, aged between 14 and 17 years, reportedly covered themselves with blankets and walked out through the main gate, as captured in CCTV footage. Of the five, two girls have safely reached their homes, while a search operation is underway to trace the remaining three missing girls. According to shelter home in-charge Gayatri Mishra, the girls went missing between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm. The escapees have been identified as Divya (resident of Chauthaiya, Mahavan), Priyanka (Bahad Garhi, Nauhjheel), Arayna (Multani Bada, Pahar...