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Akhilesh: BJP to lose Maharashtra, UP bypolls 

Akhilesh Yadav chief promised that if people make the Samajwadi party win then schemes like Agniveer would be abolished and permanent jobs in security forces would be provided to the youth….reports Asian Lite News

Launching a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said that the voice of the Lucknow engine (UP government) has changed as the Uttar Pradesh bypolls are approaching. 

“The voice of the Lucknow engine (UP government) has changed as the elections (UP Bypolls) approach. Are they talking about any development? They say that Samajwadi people are mafia and goons…But the truth is that when the Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath) leaves his house, he does not look in the mirror,” said Akhilesh Yadav while addressing a public rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Katehari Vidhan Sabha. 

He further promised that if people make the Samajwadi party win then schemes like Agniveer would be abolished and permanent jobs in security forces would be provided to the youth. 

“Governments keep changing but we must work on improving the institutions. The democratic system must be improvised. People’s trust in the system must increase. The BJP has done damage to this. I appeal to you all to stand in queue to cast a vote. If you could stand in long queues when demonetisation happened, then, you can do it now as well. I promise youngsters of employment and tell them that we will never accept schemes like agniveer. I will work to provide them with permanent jobs in the security forces,” added Akhilesh Yadav. 

The SP chief said that the BJP will be defeated in the Maharashtra assembly elections and UP bypolls as well. “The engines of Delhi (central government) and Lucknow (UP government) are colliding with each other. There are a lot of reasons behind this collision. Due to this, (UP) DGP has not been appointed…Earlier their (Delhi and UP) engines were colliding, now their slogans are also colliding…After the results of the Maharashtra elections, the Maharashtra government will not be in power. They (BJP) will lose UP also…”, he added. 

Notably, bypolls will be held on nine seats in Uttar Pradesh on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23. (ANI) 

Ruckus at BJP leader Rana’s rally 

A ruckus occurred during a public rally held by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Navneet Rana at Khallar village, part of the Daryapur constituency in Amravati, the police said on Sunday. 

According to the police, Navneet Rana came to Khallar village on Saturday to campaign for Ramesh Bundile, who is contesting from the Daryapur Assembly constituency on BJP’s ticket. 

The incident occurred around 10 PM on Saturday when chairs were reportedly thrown at Navneet Rana while she was campaigning for Ramesh Bundile. The BJP leader was allegedly attacked as she was addressing the crowd in Daryapur’s Khallar village. 

Following the attack, Navneet Rana filed a complaint at the police station. 

Former MP Navneet Rana claimed that while she was delivering her speech from the stage, a few people in the audience started hooting. 

She added when she stepped down after concluding her speech, chairs were thrown and slogans were raised against her. 

The police have registered a case regarding the incident and have initiated a probe into the matter. 

“BJP leader Navneet Rana came to Khallar village yesterday, to campaign for the BJP candidate from the Daryapur Assembly constituency, Ramesh Bundile. During the rally, a dispute broke out between two groups. We have registered a case on the complaint of Navneet Rana. The situation is now under control. A police checkpoint has been set up in the village. We request the citizens to not believe in any kind of rumours. Further investigation is underway,” Inspector Crime Branch Rural Amravati, Kiran Wankhade said. 

Meanwhile, a viral video of senior Congress leader Nitin Raut purportedly claiming that he was dropped from the Vilas Rao Deshmukh cabinet for greeting the Chief Minister with ‘Jai Bheem’ has spelt trouble for the party. The clip has given the BJP ammunition to attack the party as Anti-Dalit. 

The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. 

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), seeks to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. (ANI) 

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UP Goes Big on Chips

Semicon India 2024 will feature a comprehensive exhibition running from September 11 to 13, highlighting cutting-edge advancements in semiconductor technology…reports Asian Lite News

In a major move to position Uttar Pradesh as a key player in semiconductor manufacturing, the Yogi Adityanath-led government is set to host Semicon India 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from September 11 to 13. 

This event, which will be organised in collaboration with SEMI, Messe Muenchen India, and the Electronic Industries Association of India-ELCINA, aims to elevate India’s semiconductor sector and establish the country as a significant global contender.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the event on September 11, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also in attendance.

The semiconductor industry in India is rapidly growing, with forecasts suggesting the regional chip market could exceed $55 billion by 2026.

To harness this potential, the Uttar Pradesh government is actively seeking investments from semiconductor firms.

Semicon India 2024 will feature a comprehensive exhibition running from September 11 to 13, highlighting cutting-edge advancements in semiconductor technology. Manufacturers from around the world will showcase their innovations, providing a glimpse into the industry’s future.

The second day of Semicon India 2024 will delve into critical areas such as cross-regional partnerships, flexible hybrid electronics, supply chain management, and sustainable industry practices.

On the final day, September 13, attendees can look forward to a presentation by Micron on package manufacturing, a semiconductor fabrication boot camp hosted by ISA, and an overview of the semiconductor industry’s progress by IESA.

This year’s Semicon India Exhibition and Conference will be held alongside Electronica India and Productronica India, the largest electronics fairs in Southeast Asia. This landmark event will unite a wide range of domestic and international companies, providing a prime opportunity to explore India’s burgeoning semiconductor sector and discover new business prospects.

Semicon India 2024 will offer a dynamic range of exhibitions, programmes, and networking opportunities, allowing participants to interact with local leaders and government officials and gain insights into India’s semiconductor industry.

The India Semiconductor Mission, backed by major firms like AMD, Applied Materials, and Micron Technology, aims to bolster domestic chip production.

In alignment with this national initiative, the Yogi Adityanath government is actively promoting Uttar Pradesh as a semiconductor manufacturing hub. The newly introduced UP Semiconductor Policy provides substantial incentives, including a 50 per cent additional capital subsidy, 75 per cent land rebate, 100 per cent exemption from electricity duty for 10 years, and a 5 per cent interest subsidy (up to Rs 7 crore).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged investors to explore Uttar Pradesh’s potential, as the state strives to become a $1 trillion economy.

Over the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has evolved into a significant electronics manufacturing hub, with over 200 companies and a dominant 65 per cent share of India’s mobile production. The state is now focusing on expanding its role in the fabless semiconductor sector, leveraging its extensive rail network and growing airport infrastructure, including the forthcoming Noida International Airport. These advancements enhance Uttar Pradesh’s attractiveness for high-tech industries and global chip design and R&D companies.

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UP passes bill to award life term for unlawful conversions

UP BJP leader Mohsin Raza hit out at the Opposition parties for ‘smelling a conspiracy’ in the proposed law….reports Asian Lite News

The Yogi Adityanth-led government has passed the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Assembly, which proposes harsher punishment, leading up to life imprisonment in ‘love jihad’ cases. 

The proposed amendments have been welcomed by the BJP as a step in the right direction while the Samajwadi Party has termed it a ‘divisive’ move, aimed at creating ‘animosity’ in society.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who reached the Assembly, this morning told reporters that the legislation should be welcomed as this would act as a ‘deterrent’ against such practices.

BJP leader Mohsin Raza said that the law, when amended, will help greatly in tackling illegal religious conversions as many ‘love jihad’ cases have emerged where impersonators marry a girl by hiding their identity and then force her to convert.

“If any impersonator plays with the life of your daughter, why shouldn’t the culprit be held accountable? If an imposter marries any girl by hiding his identity and with malicious intent, why can’t such people be brought to book,” asked the BJP leader.

Samajwadi Party, on the other hand, slammed the Yogi Adityanath government for brining amendments in the existing laws regarding ‘love jihad’ and said that it nothing but negative politics and motivated by the BJP’s ‘aversion’ towards a particular community.

SP leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand in a video message said, “UP has already a law on love jihad. If someone traps someone in his/her love trap with some motive, then there is a law for it but the BJP only wants to do negative politics. It does not want to do anything about unemployment and paper leak.”

UP BJP leader Mohsin Raza also hit out at the Opposition parties for ‘smelling a conspiracy’ in the proposed law.

“A strict regulation is required to put an end to such practises. The BJP believes in ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas.’ It’s unfortunate that the Opposition finds it communal and discriminatory. Their opposition to the ordinance is driven by their appeasement policy towards a certain religion,” Mohsin Raza pointed out.

As per the existing law, the punishment for such cases of an imposter marrying someone with a concealed identity ranges from one to ten years while religious conversions done only for marriage are held invalid.

When the ‘revised’ law comes into force, the guilty will be subjected to life imprisonment. The amendment is likely to be passed in the Assembly by voice vote on August 2, as per reports.

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UP braces for high-stakes by-elections

The by-elections were necessitated by the elevation of nine assembly members, including prominent figures like Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, to the Lok Sabha….reports Asian Lite News

The upcoming by-elections in Uttar Pradesh are poised to be a crucial battleground, following significant shifts in political dynamics after the Lok Sabha polls. With 10 assembly seats now vacant, political parties are gearing up for a high-stakes contest that could have implications beyond mere numerical gains.

The by-elections were necessitated by the elevation of nine assembly members, including prominent figures like Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, to the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the disqualification of SP MLA Irfan Solanki further added to the tally of vacant seats. While the Election Commission has yet to announce the dates, parties have already begun strategizing for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral round.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress have formed an alliance termed the INDIA bloc, aiming to capitalize on their recent gains in the state. In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is mobilizing resources to defend its turf and reassert dominance in the assembly. Both camps are preparing with vigor, as acknowledged by leaders from each side who have expressed determination to secure victory.

The electoral landscape is crucial not only for its immediate impact on assembly seats but also for the symbolic and strategic messages it could send. For the BJP, which currently enjoys a comfortable majority in the state assembly, any losses could dent its perceived invincibility and embolden the opposition. Conversely, a successful defense could strengthen its position ahead of future challenges.

Key constituencies include those previously held by the SP and its allies, as well as seats won by the BJP and its coalition partners. The by-elections are seen as a litmus test of public sentiment following the Lok Sabha results, where the INDIA bloc secured a significant portion of the state’s parliamentary seats.

Leaders from all sides have emphasized the significance of these by-elections, with BJP officials asserting their readiness to undertake a vigorous campaign aimed at bolstering their electoral credentials. Meanwhile, SP and Congress leaders have exuded confidence in continuing their winning streak, buoyed by recent electoral gains and the strategic alliance they have forged.

The process of candidate selection and campaign strategy is already underway, with parties deliberating on alliances and seat distributions. The BSP, another significant player in Uttar Pradesh politics, has also convened meetings to discuss its strategy, indicating a potentially complex electoral scenario with multiple alliances and alignments in play.

The by-elections not only represent a numeric exercise but also a narrative about the evolving political landscape in Uttar Pradesh. They come against the backdrop of broader shifts in national and regional politics, where alliances and electoral strategies are increasingly defining outcomes at both state and national levels.

As parties gear up for what is expected to be a keenly watched electoral contest, the results of these by-elections could serve as a barometer for future political alignments and strategies in Uttar Pradesh. With each party aiming to leverage its strengths and capitalize on the weaknesses of its opponents, the by-elections are set to be a critical chapter in the ongoing saga of Indian politics, particularly in one of its most populous and politically significant states.

Mayawati names nephew Akash as heir

After removing him from the key post over a month ago, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday, reinstated her nephew Akash Anand to the post of the party’s National Coordinator and named him her political successor once again.

Mayawati had axed Akash Anand in the midst of the Lok Sabha election campaign and stated that her decision would stand “till he becomes mature.”

However, in a U-turn on Saturday, Mayawati named him as one of the star campaigners for the forthcoming Uttarakhand Assembly bye-elections.

The decision by Mayawati to remove Akash Anand was taken after he drew flak over his aggressive language while campaigning.

An FIR was lodged against him in Sitapur when he called the Union government a government of terrorists.

“This government is a bulldozer government and a government of traitors. The party that leaves its youth hungry and enslaves its elderly is a terrorist government. Taliban runs such a government in Afghanistan,” he had said during an election rally in Sitapur.

Besides Anand, BSP candidates Mahendra Yadav, Shyam Awasthi, and Akshay Kalra and rally organiser Vikas Rajvanshi were booked in the matter by the Sitapur Police.

The BSP supremo had called a meeting on Sunday to review the party’s defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The meeting, held at the BSP’s office, mainly focussed on why the party could not win even a single seat in the General Elections in the country.

A discussion was also held on how things can improve in the forthcoming 2027 Assembly elections.

It was at this meeting that Mayawati announced her decision to bring back Akash Anand.

It is noteworthy that party cadres had been rooting for Akash Anand after the BSP’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

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Phase 6: SP, BSP face tough battle in UP

BJP won nine seats in 2019 including Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Basti, Allahabad, Domariyaganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bhadohi, and Machhlishahr…reports Asian Lite News

 With the sixth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh scheduled to take place on May 26, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) face the onerous task of retaining their seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the state.

BJP won nine seats in 2019 including Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Basti, Allahabad, Domariyaganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bhadohi, and Machhlishahr.

The BSP had won four seats – Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Lalganj and Jaunpur while SP won Azamgarh which it later lost to BJP in a by-election and now face an uphill task to retain this seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The constituencies going to polls in the sixth phase include Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Shrawasti, Basti, Jaunpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Domariyaganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Bhadohi, and Machhlishahr.

This time, BJP’s Maneka Gandhi is facing Ram Bhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Udraj Varma of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Maneka has successfully steered her campaign towards local developmental issues and is placed comfortably.

In Pratapgarh, the sitting BJP MP Sangam Lal Gupta is taking on the SP’s Shiv Pal Singh Patel and Prathmesh Mishra of BSP.

The prestigious seat of Allahabad is witnessing a close contest between Neeraj Tripathi of the BJP and Ujjwal Rewati Raman Singh of the Congress.

Neeraj is the son of the former Speaker late Kesri Nath Tripathi and Ujjawal is the son of former MP Reoti Raman Singh, both are working overtime to carry forward their father’s political legacy.

In Ambedkar Nagar, two former BSP leaders are challenging each other, albeit from different parties.

Former BSP MP Ritesh Pandey is contesting on a BJP ticket while Lalji Verma, former leader of the BSP legislature party, is the candidate from the Samajwadi Party.

In Domariyaganj, Jagdambika Pal, sitting BJP MP, is locked in a close contest with Bhishma Shankar Tiwari of the SP and Khwaja Shamsuddin of the BSP.

In Basti, sitting BJP MP Harish Dwiwedi is being challenged by Ram Prasad Chaudhary of SP while in Machhlishahr, BJP MP B P Saroj is seeking his third term and is facing Priya Saroj who is the SP candidate and daughter of former MP Tufani Saroj.

Lalganj features Neelam Sonkar from the BJP and Daroga Saroj representing the SP with a young professor Indu Chaudhary of BSP, making the fight triangular.

It is the Azamgarh seat, a stronghold of the SP with a sizeable Muslim-Yadav electorate, that is witnessing a keen contest between Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ of the BJP and former MP Dharmendra Yadav.

All top SP leaders have been campaigning for Dharmendra Yadav and are pulling out all stops to ensure his win. Nirahua is banking on the work of the double-engine government to get a second term.

Jaunpur is another seat that is witnessing an interesting contest between former Maharashtra minister Kripa Shankar Singh of the BJP and Babu Singh Kushwaha of the SP. The sitting MP Shyam Singh Yadav is the BSP candidate again.

Mafia don-turned-politician Dhananjay Singh, whose wife Srikala Reddy Singh was denied a BSP ticket at the last moment, is playing the role of a kingmaker in this constituency.

The Trinamool Congress is making its debut in UP politics in this election. Laliteshpati Tripathi is the TMC candidate in Bhadohi. He is the great-grandson of veteran Congress leader, late Kamlapati Tripathi.

He is being challenged by Vinod Kumar Bind from the BJP and Athar Ansari of BSP.

“We are winning all 14 seats in this phase because the voters have consolidated in favour of BJP,” said BJP spokesman Rakesh Tripathi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has campaigned aggressively in this phase, pushing a UP-centric narrative.

“In the election, our country has two models. Modi’s model is focused on “Santushtikaran” (satisfaction) while the SP, Congress and ‘Ghamandiya’ (selfish) model is based on “Tushtikaran” (appeasement). The playbook of the SP and the Congress is dangerous. These people seek votes here, while in south India, their allies abuse and humiliate the people of UP,” PM Modi said in Jaunpur.

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Will take steps to make west UP a separate state, says Maya

The BSP chief said if free and fair elections are held and voting machines are not tampered with, the BJP will not return to power this time…reports Asian Lite News

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Sunday said her party will take concrete steps to make western Uttar Pradesh a separate state if voted to power at the Centre.

Addressing a rally here in support of the BSP’s candidate from the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha seat Dara Singh Prajapati, Mayawati also said the BJP has a very slim chance of coming to power again.

“You want western Uttar Pradesh to become a separate state. For this, concrete steps will be taken if our government comes to power at the Centre,” Mayawati told the gathering.

The BSP chief said if free and fair elections are held and voting machines are not tampered with, the BJP will not return to power this time.

“Most of the BJP’s time was spent on making wealthy businessmen wealthier and protecting them… The BJP and other parties run their organisations and contest elections with the support of these businesses. This was revealed by electoral bond data,” she added.

The former chief minister hit out at the BJP government for not recruiting people for vacant posts reserved for backward communities and making reservations in promotion redundant.

“In the last few years, with the BJP in power at the Centre and in most states, the progress of Muslims has stopped to a great extent. Violence in the name of religion has increased here,” Mayawati said, adding that poor people of the general category have also not received any benefits under the BJP’s rule.

Prajapati is pitted against Sanjeev Kumar Balyan of the BJP and Harendra Singh Malik of the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Before her rally here, Mayawati also addressed a public meeting in Saharanpur district.

The eight parliamentary constituencies of Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina (SC), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 19.

The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

The BS fought the 2019 Lok Sabha election in alliance with the SP and managed to secure victory on 10 seats.

The party has decided to go solo this time. The SP, Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress are contesting as part of the INDIA bloc and the BJP, Apna Dal (S), NISHAD party and the SBSP are part of the NDA alliance.

Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats, the highest for any state in the country.

Tejashwi tears into BJP’s manifesto  

Senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said the BJP Lok Sabha manifesto “ignored” unemployment, issues concerning farmers and inflation.

Talking to reporters, he said, “There is no mention of jobs and employment anywhere in the BJP manifesto. There is no mention of reducing inflation, unemployment and poverty. There is nothing in the manifesto for 60 per cent youth of the country, 80 per cent farmers and villages of the country. They (BJP) ignored unemployment, issues concerning farmers and inflation in its manifesto. In fact…It proves that the BJP has nothing to offer people.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday BJP released the BJP Lok Sabha manifesto in the national capital in the presence of BJP president JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister said, “BJP’s manifesto has exposed the mindset of its leaders towards backward and poor states. This party is not concerned about backward and poor states. There is nothing in it for the development and upliftment of such states like Bihar.

“What happened about the special status to Biharwhat about the special package which we have been demanding for the overall development of Bihar? All the promises made by BJP leaders before the last Lok Sabha polls remained promises only.

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UP Invests Big in Religious Tourism

Varanasi leads the list with projects with 34 entries bringing in an investment of Rs 6,730 crore….reports Asian Lite News

The sustained efforts of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years are paying off and religious tourism now accounts for a major share ion the tourism sector.

Over 46 per cent of the total 819 projects set for launch during the fourth groundbreaking ceremony (GBC-4.0) in the tourism sector are located in centres of religious tourism, namely Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Prayagraj, according to the official spokesman.

The tourism department’s target for the event was Rs 37,500 crore. Against this, 819 projects worth Rs 33,134.47 crore are set to take off, which is an achievement of 88 per cent against the goal.

Of the total, projects worth Rs 15,434.18 crore are located in these four cities– Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Prayagraj.

The projects include hotels, resorts, spas, retreats, theme parks and so on.

According to the spokesman, Varanasi leads the list with projects with 34 entries bringing in an investment of Rs 6,730 crore.

It is followed by Ayodhya which has been able to pull in 114 projects worth Rs 4,318 crore.

Mathura ranks number three with 74 projects to the tune of Rs 3,278 crore.

Prayagraj, which ranks number seven in the regular list, has been able to attract investment of Rs 1,108.18 crore through 21 projects.

Chitrakoot, which is also attracting a lot of pilgrims because of its connection with Lord Ram, has got eight new projects worth Rs 118 crore.

Principal secretary, tourism, Mukesh Meshram said that the figures speak for the rising tourism economy of UP which is riding the spiritual tourism wave.

“Apart from being the birthplace of Ram and Krishna and the abode of Shiva , Uttar Pradesh is also the land of Buddha’s enlightenment. Then, there are 20-plus world-famous destinations closely linked to Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Sikhism and Christianity. Together these facts make the state a must-visit for many pilgrims,” he said.

Tourism minister Jaiveer Singh said that this was just the beginning for UP.

“Around 1.5 lakh tourists are visiting Varanasi daily while an equal number are already visiting Ayodhya since the Ram temple was dedicated to people,” the minister said.

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UP Launches Caravan Tourism

Caravan tourism the preferred option for travellers in India?

The initiative aims to address accommodation challenges in regions where proper facilities are lacking….reports Asian Lite News

The Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism Department, in partnership with Motohom, has launched Caravan Tourism in the state, signalling a significant move to enhance travel experiences focused on families.

The initiative aims to address accommodation challenges in regions where proper facilities are lacking.

Caravan Tourism is poised to bring a fresh perspective to tourism in Uttar Pradesh, catering specifically to family-oriented travel. The Motorhome Caravan accommodates six to eight people, offering sleeping arrangements for up to six individuals.

The vehicle is well-equipped with two washrooms and cooking facilities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient travel experience. Booking for the Caravan can be made through UP Tourism State Development Corporation Limited.

To mark the launch, a promotional offer allows full-day booking at approximately Rs 35,000. This covers travel up to 350 km, with an additional charge of Rs 150 per kilometre for distances beyond the initial limit.

Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed hope that the new facility would significantly boost tourism in the state. Acknowledging Uttar Pradesh’s prominent position in domestic tourism, he emphasised the goal of achieving a similar status for foreign tourists.

The introduction of Caravan Tourism underscores the state’s commitment to providing diverse and enriching travel experiences, especially for families, marking a stride towards enhancing tourism in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, with the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh determined to promote religious tourism, the Prayagraj Mela Authority has decided to offer hygienically cooked food at greatly subsidised rates to pilgrims and saints coming for a holy dip in Sangam.

The Prayagraj Mela Authority will establish and operate a community kitchen and two food distribution centres year-round with a capacity to feed 5,000 devotees a day, said officials.

A proposal in this regard has already been approved by the Prayagraj Mela Authority Board .

Through this kitchen, it is proposed to provide breakfast for Rs 5 and lunch for Rs 10 to the pilgrims.

Following the plan’s approval, the mela authority will now fund a feasibility gap study of the proposal under which the income and expenditure aspects of the initiative will be reviewed after which further action would be taken.

To keep the mela area clean, now under the Solid Waste Management Act a fine of Rs 200 each will be imposed on street vendors who are not using dustbins, on unlicensed shops for not having dustbins and on temporary business owners for the same offence. A provision of imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 for not having proper dustbins at commercially eating joints has also been made by the board.

Divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant said, “Likewise, under the City Sanitation Plan, the Prayagraj municipal commissioner will carry out micro-management of the initiative by conducting continuous zone wise reviews to ensure proper cleanliness.”

At the same time, the board resolved to ensure benefit to around 3,000 registered boatmen and labourers through Swachh Kumbh Fund under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna, Chief Minister Jan Arogya Abhiyan, Kanya Sumangala Yojna, Education Incentive Scheme for Girls of Safai Workers and boatmen and Shramyogi Maandhan Yojana.

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Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism Sees Boom with 32 Cr Visitors


Kashi emerged as the top tourist destination in the state, drawing the highest number of visitors, with Prayagraj and Ayodhya also welcoming millions of tourists…reports Asian Lite News


Uttar Pradesh is consistently strengthening its presence on the global tourism stage, reaching new milestones annually. In 2022, the state attracted 31.85 crore tourists, and during the initial nine months of 2023, more than 32 crore visitors, including a substantial international contingent, explored the diverse offerings of Uttar Pradesh

Among the various destinations in the state, Kashi attracted the highest number of tourists, while Prayagraj and Ayodhya also witnessed the arrival of crores of visitors.

The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Uttar Pradesh across diverse sectors. Achieving top positions in both central and state welfare schemes, the state also experienced notable progress in the field of tourism. From January to September 2023, the number of domestic tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh was 31,91,95,206, and 9,54,866 foreign tourists also explored the state.

Notably, Varanasi, in particular, witnessed the highest number of tourist arrivals. From January to September, a total of 8,42,04,814 tourists visited Varanasi, with 8,40,71,726 being domestic tourists and 1,33,088 being international tourists.

After Kashi, Prayagraj emerges as the second choice for tourists. A total of 4,49,95,996 tourists visited here from January to September 2023. Among them, the number of domestic tourists was 4,49,93,289, while 2,707 foreign tourists also explored Prayagraj.

Similarly, Ayodhya secured the third position in terms of tourist arrivals. From January 23 to September 23, a total of 2,03,64,347 tourists visited Ayodhya. Among them, the number of domestic tourists was 2,03,62,713, while 1,634 were international tourists.

It is noteworthy that the highest number of tourists coming to Uttar Pradesh was recorded between January and July, ranging between 5.56 to 5.80 crore. (ANI)

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UP Assembly to introduce speech recognition software

ucknow: Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Akhilesh Yadav speaks during the Monsoon session of UP Assembly, in Lucknow on Monday, August 07, 2023. (Photo:IANS/Twitter:@samajwadiparty)

The new software is expected to bring a host of features aimed at facilitating a seamless and structured conduct of sessions within the assembly..reports Asian Lite News

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly will now introduce speech recognition software. A tender has been issued for the development and procurement of the software and the entire process is being conducted through the e-tender portal.

The new software is expected to bring a host of features aimed at facilitating a seamless and structured conduct of sessions within the assembly, a state government spokesman said.

“The software will be equipped with multiple features, including the ability to eliminate noise-related interference during live telecast of the proceedings. This will not only improve live feeds but will also help in video output during assembly proceedings,” he said.

The entire bidding process is being conducted through e-tender portal. The deadline for applying for e-tender through the portal is December 4, and all the processes of work allocation and software purchase will be completed as per the rule book of the state government.

Various states across the country have already digitised their Legislative Assembly proceedings through the implementation of National e-Vidhan application.

The state had also adopted technological transformation in May 2022, introducing ‘e-Vidhan application’ in the Assembly. Since then, all sessions have been conducted using this application, marking a significant stride towards a more tech-savvy and efficient legislative process.

This selected entity will undertake the comprehensive task of establishing the entire system, encompassing the acquisition and set-up of the requisite equipment necessary for the flawless execution of the software during Legislative Assembly proceedings.

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