Uttar Pradesh

Changur Baba, once a modest seller of taweez (amulets), has found himself at the center of a sweeping investigation led by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Accused of orchestrating a vast religious conversion network reportedly worth over ₹100 crore, he exemplifies how influence and wealth can spiral far beyond humble beginnings. Authorities allege that under the guise of spiritual healing, Changur Baba built a sophisticated operation drawing in substantial funds, triggering concerns over financial misappropriation and religious exploitation.

A sharp rise in digital fraud cases across eastern Uttar Pradesh has stirred concern among consumers, businesses, and banking institutions. Increasing reliance on mobile transactions and digital wallets has made unsuspecting users vulnerable to sophisticated scams, with cybercriminals often exploiting gaps in digital literacy.

Hindustan Power has secured a Letter of Award (LoA) from Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) to develop and commission a 425 MWp solar project. Under a 25‑year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) at a fixed tariff, the utility will procure clean power produced by a state-of-the-art solar facility. Scheduled for commissioning within 24 months, the initiative supports Hatch Indias’s ambition to build a 5 GW renewables portfolio by 2028, while contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s renewable energy targets and India’s goal of increasing non-fossil-fuel capacity.

Shankh Air, Uttar Pradesh’s pioneering full-service carrier, is poised to reshape regional aviation with its planned launch in the next few months. The Lucknow-headquartered airline has applied for its DGCA permit and aims to deploy a fleet of Airbus A320s to establish six initial routes from Lucknow. By targeting underserved cities such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Indore and Dehradun, the airline aligns with the UDAN initiative and state development goals.

InPrime Finserv, a prominent non-banking financial company (NBFC), has successfully raised Rs 50 crore in a funding round spearheaded by Pravega Ventures. The capital infusion is earmarked to drive expansion into new regions, targeting around 50 operational locations over the next year across key states including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. Alongside geographic growth, InPrime aims to enhance its product portfolio, particularly focusing on secured lending, while exploring strategic co-lending partnerships to broaden and diversify its capital framework.

India’s southwest monsoon has swept across the entire country nine days ahead of schedule, marking an unusual meteorological event with potentially significant implications for agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety. Typically reaching Delhi by June 27, this year’s monsoon arrived by June 25 and has covered the subcontinent in an exceptionally rapid advance. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts across several states, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential flooding.

A political storm is brewing over the Election Commission of India's (ECI) latest electoral roll revision directives, which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claims are a covert attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Backed by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Banerjee has accused the ECI of acting in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) interest by targeting young voters in opposition-ruled states—particularly Bengal.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has reached a significant milestone by launching its 400th showroom in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s largest jewellery retailers. With operations spanning 13 countries and a current annual turnover of Rs. 63,000 crore, the company now aims to increase its revenue to Rs. 78,000 crore by March 2026. The Kerala-based firm plans to open 60 new showrooms this fiscal year and expand into 15 countries, 22 Indian states, and three Union Territories. Backed by a Rs.

EMS Limited, a Ghaziabad-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm specializing in water and sewerage infrastructure, has emerged as the lowest bidder for two major projects valued at Rs 202.85 crore awarded by UP Jal Nigam (Urban). The contracts include the Agra Water Supply Reorganisation Scheme and the Nagar Nigam Ayodhya Sewerage Scheme, with timelines of 24 and 21 months respectively.

In a bid to modernize agriculture and enhance farmers' income, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a drone-powered crop protection initiative across six districts as part of a pilot program. Under the scheme, drones are being deployed to spray nano urea and pesticides, enabling timely, precise, and efficient crop care. The initiative—launched under the Atmanirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojana and supported by the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund—marks a significant technological shift in Indian farming.