Thirteen people lost their lives as moderate to heavy rain lashed several areas of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday even as the mercury settled above normal in parts of North India.

LUCKNOW: Urban development minister Azam Khan on Friday announced construction of 4,000 houses for urban poor under the 'Aasra' scheme at the cost of Rs 100 crore in the current budget session. Surprisingly, the announced scheme closely resembles an ambitious scheme in the name of former chief minister Mayawati's mentor, Kanshiram. The scheme has recently been infused with a fresh dose of funds of over Rs 100 crore to get it completed by the end of present financial year.

Even as the fog receded in most parts of Uttar Pradesh Monday, 26 people have died in the last 24 hours because of the extreme cold, officials said.

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi landed in Varanasi on Tuesday morning and went on a tour of villages in Naxal-affected Chandauli and Mirzapur districts of eastern UP.

After the

Chandauli: The discontent among farmers over land acquisition has travelled from western UP to the eastern side of the state.

Following an agitation by the farmers of Katesar village in Chandauli district against land acquisition by the Varanasi Development Authority to develop a cultural city along the Ganga, the government has decided to postpone the acquisition for the time being.

Technical wing of Irrigation department is planning to enhance capacity of pump canals in several districts which would bring additional 4265 hectare area under irrigation facility.

In a gruesome incident of violence against wild animals, villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district killed a leopard with spears and iron weapons. Of the six villagers booked for killing the animal, two have been arrested, officials said.

Immense pressure from the Centre and state government

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