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Umesh Raghuvanshi

Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984.

Articles by Umesh Raghuvanshi

UP government presents 2nd supplementary budget of RS 17865.72 crore

The size of the second supplementary budget is 2.42% of the state’s annual budget of ₹7.36 lakh crore.

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presenting a supplementary budget (File photo)

Lucknow

Published on Dec 18, 2024 06:13 PM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

U.P. winter session set to be stormy as Oppn to raise Sambhal, Bahraich issues

The issues of violence in Sambhal and Baharaich, the law and order situation and the state government’s move to present a second supplementary budget for 2024-2025 despite “low utilisation of funds” by some of the major departments are set to be in focus.

Assembly speaker Satish Mahana called an all-party meeting on Sunday to seek cooperation of leaders of political parties. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 16, 2024 06:32 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

‘Support to TMC doesn’t affect alliance with Congress’

“The Samajwadi Party has a strong and cordial relationship with the TMC...We are constituents of the INDIA bloc and our support to TMC does not affect our relationship with the Congress and the Congress-SP alliance,” said Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 11, 2024 08:36 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh: Verbal volleys signal apparent unease in Samajwadi Party-Congress ties?

There has also been apparent unease between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over handling of the Sambhal violence issue and the changed seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha

Samajwadi Party and Congress leaders greet one another at Parliament House during the winter session. (ANI FILE PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 08:06 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Prayagraj’s ₹106.68 cr GST collection from hotels, restaurants highest in U.P.

Uttar Pradesh saw arrival of 31.85 crore visitors in 2022-2023 while the state government collected ₹330.79 crore as GST from hotels and restaurants in different districts in the state the same year.

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 08, 2024 05:56 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Eye on 2027 assembly polls, Congress presses refresh button in Uttar Pradesh

Those aware of the development said the Congress organisation in the state had failed to work as a cohesive unit.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai says the party decided to go in for a total revamp instead of opting for patchwork. (FILE PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 07, 2024 03:42 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Stalin, Mamata, Omar...: Mahakumbh guest list transcends political barriers

The guest list has been given to Uttar Pradesh ministers who will fan out across the country to invite governors and chief ministers to the Mahakumbh.

Floating barriers built on the Ganga for the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela, in Prayagraj (ANI PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 06, 2024 04:39 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Protocol reminder: U.P. issues fresh order on chair white towel

Principal secretary (Appointment) M Devraj reminded officers to provide public representatives with chairs of equal height and decor, including white towels, and ensure their mobile numbers are saved and calls returned promptly

The GO refers to earlier orders, including one from October 3, 2023, instructing officers to extend courtesy and follow protocol provisions. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 04, 2024 05:48 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

U.P. focuses on micro analysis of dev indicators to achieve trillion-dollar economy goal

Uttar Pradesh government analyzes development indicators to boost growth, aiming for a trillion-dollar economy, with GDDP data showcasing district contributions.

U.P. govt has also come out with details of contribution made by the districts to the state’s economy in various sectors. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 04, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

UP Cong to begin revamp process at grassroots

Uttar Pradesh Congress plans organizational revamp at grassroots level, aiming for completion within a month to strengthen its electoral strategy and partnership with SP.

Lucknow

Updated on Dec 01, 2024 06:22 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

SP fails to gain from ally Cong’s absence in bypolls

The bypoll outcome, in which the SP won only two of the nine seats, has come as a setback for the alliance, exposed the chinks within it and the lack of coordination between the two partners.

The SP-Congress alliance won 43 (37 SP and 6 Congress) of UP’s 80 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 25, 2024 05:48 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Big fight in UP over the ubiquitous white towel draped on the babu’s chair

To be sure, towels, not necessarily white, are a common sight on the chairs of bureaucrats across India

A practice that began in the state secretariat has, over the years, trickled down across the large province. (HT Archive)

India News

Updated on Nov 22, 2024 05:00 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

Uttar Pradesh govt likely to set up corporation for outsourced, contractual staff

Uttar Pradesh cabinet to take a call on issue soon, the state government engages about 10 to 12 lakh contractual and outsourced employees in different departments

The Uttar Pradesh government proposes to work out rules to govern service conditions for outsourced and contractual staff, and fix minimum wages for them. (PICTURE FOR REPRESENTATION)

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 21, 2024 08:40 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

U.P. needs 1.5-2L acre land bank for trillion-dollar economy target

Those aware of the development said four models being pushed for land procurement include land pooling, resumption of gram samaj land and leveraging surplus land available with various departments

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 12, 2024 06:04 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Uttarakhand Foundation Day: 24 yrs on, assets, liabilities issues with U.P. remain unsolved

Chief ministers of both states met on several occasions in past 24 years to resolve the pending issues

Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Published on Nov 09, 2024 05:22 PM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

SP ‘unity’ poster fuels war of words ahead of UP bypolls

The SP counters BJP's 'batenge to katenge' with a unity slogan featuring Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, emphasizing caste issues ahead of UP by-elections.

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 08, 2024 04:14 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

For Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders, all roads lead to bypoll-bound Wayanad

The fact that the Congress is not contesting any of the nine bypoll-bound assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh has left many of the state unit leaders free to campaign in Wayanad and elsewhere.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigns for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election. (ANI PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 07, 2024 05:46 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Focus on politics as Rahul reviews projects in Rae Bareli

Public representatives, including BJP’s, advocated a resolution to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increased allocations to the Jal Jeevan Mission’s piped water scheme

Senior Cong leader Rahul Gandhi during a meeting in Rae Bareli on November 5. (Agency)

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 06, 2024 06:10 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

War of words intensifies in U.P. ahead of by-elections

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday targeted chief minister Yogi Adityanath for the latter’s controversial ‘batenge to katenge’ remark

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav (HT File Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Nov 03, 2024 06:34 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Focus on job creation, CD ratio may help address regional imbalances in UP

Districts having a relatively low CD ratio include Lucknow (44.49%), Gorakhpur (46.37%), Azamgarh (48.50%) and Ballia (49.32%)

Lucknow

Published on Oct 25, 2024 10:31 PM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

Congress decision to leave field for SP a tactical retreat or politically risky?

UP assembly bypolls: The first obvious question is about the possible gains and losses that the grand old party may have

The Congress has been often accused of not following the coalition dharma in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Oct 25, 2024 05:14 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow:

SP, Cong resume seat-sharing talks

A final decision is expected after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and senior Congress leaders Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi approve the arrangement on the seat-sharing issue

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (HT File Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Oct 16, 2024 08:36 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

In digital era, ‘lal fita’ gone, but ‘red tapism’ stays

Over 95% of files in the state secretariat are now digital, as about 18-19 lakh files are active on the system at any given time. However, some departments, like the confidential section, still rely on physical files due to heavy document uploads

Uttar Pradesh legislature has already adopted the National e-Vidhan Application, making its operations paperless. (File Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Oct 15, 2024 09:46 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

Legislators file 55 protocol violation complaints in over four years

Some of these complaints were about indecent phone conversations, not attending their phone calls or not calling them back, not showing them due respect and indecent behaviour with public representatives.

The state government has given directives time and again asking officers to accord due protocol to all lawmakers

Lucknow

Updated on Oct 12, 2024 06:54 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

U.P. govt mops up over ₹98k cr tax revenue in six months

Its tax revenue earnings were 76.5 per cent of the target for the period and 11.1 per cent up from the collections made in the same period in 2023-24.

Lucknow

Published on Oct 06, 2024 07:14 PM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

Int’l Finance Corpn to give a push to infra projects in U.P.

In collaboration with state govt, project management unit will be set up for solar power and expressway projects on PPP model in Uttar Pradesh; IFC global MD holds discussions with Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath meets International Finance Corporation (IFC) MD Makhtar Diop, at his official residence in Lucknow on Saturday. (Yogi Adityanath X)

Lucknow

Updated on Oct 06, 2024 06:22 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

“One Nation One Election”: U.P. has seen 19 Lok Sabha, assembly polls in 35 years

Uttar Pradesh's frequent elections may impact spending and governance, with a study suggesting "One Nation One Election" could boost GDP but raise fiscal deficits.

There have been 10 Lok Sabha polls and nine assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1989. (For Representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Sep 28, 2024 07:26 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

UP begins budget preparation with austerity directives

Departments asked to send their budgetary proposals by November 30; 22-page order, including guidelines and various forms to provide required information, sent to all additional chief secretaries/principal secretaries and secretaries

Various departments have been asked not to directly send any proposals for buying new vehicles. (File Photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Sep 27, 2024 06:36 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

U.P. bypoll preparation: Cong to hold meetings, get feedback from leaders in 10 constituencies

As the Congress proposes to hold assembly level conventions in all the 10 constituencies where byelections are to be held, a meeting of senior party leaders, including office-bearers of 10 districts, has been convened here on Wednesday to get feedback and prepare for the party’s conventions.

The byelections to the state’s 10 assembly seats may be held in the next few weeks (with Maharashtra assembly polls), so both the Congress and the SP may hold another round of talks close to announcement of the bypolls. (For representation)

Lucknow

Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:46 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi

Prolonged monsoon worries UPEIDA as Ganga E-way deadline inches closer

Chief secretary and CEO UPEIDA Manoj Kumar Singh said the prolonged monsoon was posing a challenge to complete the expressway construction.

As of now, about 80 per cent of the earthwork has been completed in about 300 km out of the 594 km-long expressway (between Meerut and Unnao). (For representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Sep 15, 2024 06:06 AM IST

ByUmesh Raghuvanshi, Lucknow

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Umesh Raghuvanshi

Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984.

The size of the second supplementary budget is 2.42% of the state’s annual budget of ₹7.36 lakh crore.

The issues of violence in Sambhal and Baharaich, the law and order situation and the state government’s move to present a second supplementary budget for 2024-2025 despite “low utilisation of funds” by some of the major departments are set to be in focus.

“The Samajwadi Party has a strong and cordial relationship with the TMC...We are constituents of the INDIA bloc and our support to TMC does not affect our relationship with the Congress and the Congress-SP alliance,” said Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary

There has also been apparent unease between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over handling of the Sambhal violence issue and the changed seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha

Uttar Pradesh saw arrival of 31.85 crore visitors in 2022-2023 while the state government collected ₹330.79 crore as GST from hotels and restaurants in different districts in the state the same year.

Those aware of the development said the Congress organisation in the state had failed to work as a cohesive unit.

The guest list has been given to Uttar Pradesh ministers who will fan out across the country to invite governors and chief ministers to the Mahakumbh.

Principal secretary (Appointment) M Devraj reminded officers to provide public representatives with chairs of equal height and decor, including white towels, and ensure their mobile numbers are saved and calls returned promptly

Uttar Pradesh government analyzes development indicators to boost growth, aiming for a trillion-dollar economy, with GDDP data showcasing district contributions.

Uttar Pradesh Congress plans organizational revamp at grassroots level, aiming for completion within a month to strengthen its electoral strategy and partnership with SP.

The bypoll outcome, in which the SP won only two of the nine seats, has come as a setback for the alliance, exposed the chinks within it and the lack of coordination between the two partners.

To be sure, towels, not necessarily white, are a common sight on the chairs of bureaucrats across India

Uttar Pradesh cabinet to take a call on issue soon, the state government engages about 10 to 12 lakh contractual and outsourced employees in different departments

Those aware of the development said four models being pushed for land procurement include land pooling, resumption of gram samaj land and leveraging surplus land available with various departments

Chief ministers of both states met on several occasions in past 24 years to resolve the pending issues

The SP counters BJP's 'batenge to katenge' with a unity slogan featuring Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, emphasizing caste issues ahead of UP by-elections.

The fact that the Congress is not contesting any of the nine bypoll-bound assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh has left many of the state unit leaders free to campaign in Wayanad and elsewhere.

Public representatives, including BJP’s, advocated a resolution to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increased allocations to the Jal Jeevan Mission’s piped water scheme

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday targeted chief minister Yogi Adityanath for the latter’s controversial ‘batenge to katenge’ remark

Districts having a relatively low CD ratio include Lucknow (44.49%), Gorakhpur (46.37%), Azamgarh (48.50%) and Ballia (49.32%)

UP assembly bypolls: The first obvious question is about the possible gains and losses that the grand old party may have

A final decision is expected after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and senior Congress leaders Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi approve the arrangement on the seat-sharing issue

Over 95% of files in the state secretariat are now digital, as about 18-19 lakh files are active on the system at any given time. However, some departments, like the confidential section, still rely on physical files due to heavy document uploads

Some of these complaints were about indecent phone conversations, not attending their phone calls or not calling them back, not showing them due respect and indecent behaviour with public representatives.

Its tax revenue earnings were 76.5 per cent of the target for the period and 11.1 per cent up from the collections made in the same period in 2023-24.

In collaboration with state govt, project management unit will be set up for solar power and expressway projects on PPP model in Uttar Pradesh; IFC global MD holds discussions with Yogi

Uttar Pradesh's frequent elections may impact spending and governance, with a study suggesting "One Nation One Election" could boost GDP but raise fiscal deficits.

Departments asked to send their budgetary proposals by November 30; 22-page order, including guidelines and various forms to provide required information, sent to all additional chief secretaries/principal secretaries and secretaries

As the Congress proposes to hold assembly level conventions in all the 10 constituencies where byelections are to be held, a meeting of senior party leaders, including office-bearers of 10 districts, has been convened here on Wednesday to get feedback and prepare for the party’s conventions.

Chief secretary and CEO UPEIDA Manoj Kumar Singh said the prolonged monsoon was posing a challenge to complete the expressway construction.

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