I-T department raids former OSD
UP seems to be a haven for black money. A raid by the income tax department on former OSD (Officer on Special Duty) of Noida Development Authority, Yashpal Tyagi, revealed ill gotten wealth of about Rs 2,000 crore. The department raided Yashpal's properties situated in various sectors of Noida. The officials also seized an Audi which had a secret locker. Yashpal had hidden documents related to various ‘benami properties in this locker. He had been posted in Noida Development Authority during Mayawati’s regime (2007—2012) and is said to be close to Mayawati’s bother Anand Kumar, who too has been facing a probe in disproportionate asset case.
Yashpal could not quote a source for his wealth. Preliminary investigation revealed that he had huge stakes in Raddison Blue hotel in Haridwar, Country Inn hotel in Goa and Noida International University. Last year, the CBI had arrested Yadav Singh, a chief engineer posted at Noida, who had illegal wealth of Rs 20,000 crore.
12 kg gold seized
In another Income Tax raid, the officials seized 12 kg gold from the Noida house of Additional Commissioner (Sales tax) Keshav Lal. The seized gold comprises seven kg of bullion (solid gold) and five kg of gold jewellery worth Rs 3.60 crore. Besides, the officials recovered Rs 11 crore in cash. The officials have received information about flats in various cities of the state which belong to Lal. The I-T team has taken Lal along with them to Noida for further inquiry.
8 suspected IS terrorist from UP
In a joint operation by the police of six states, 10 suspected IS terrorist, who are said to have affiliations with the Khursan wing of the IS, were nabbed on Thursday. While six of the arrested belong to western UP district of Bijnore, one belongs to Shamli, near Muzafarnagar. The eight terrorist hails from Unnao, near Lucknow. This joint operation was carried out by Special Cell of UP ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad), Delhi police , Maharashtra ATS, Punjab police, Bihar police and Crime Investigation Cell of Andhra Pradesh.
According to Vijay Singh Meena, inspector general of police, after an intelligence input that IS terrorists were likely to carry out an attack in the state, police teams were pressed into service. The arrested men have no connection with deceased IS terrorist Saifullaha, who had been killed in Lucknow in an encounter with the police a few months back.
Yogi orders scrutiny of Yash Bharti awards
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been after the various schemes announced by the previous SP government. Latest in this series is Yash Bharti awards, initiated by the SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, to those who excel in various cultural activities. The chief minister ordered an intense review of these awards to find out that whether they were awarded to those eligible. He said, sanctity of such awards should be kept in mind. If it is given to those who do not deserve, it undermines the sacredness of such awards, he added.
Yash Bharti is the highest award of the UP government which was initiated in 1994. It is given to those personalities who massively contribute in the field of literature, social work, medicine, film, science etc. The award consists of a commendation letter, Rs 11 lakh and pension of Rs. 50,000 per month. The award has drawn huge criticism from media and public for arbitrary distribution.
