Apparently spurred by the prospect of the looming Lok Sabha elections, Ms Mayawati, Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, announced that Uttar Pradesh had decided to implement the Pay Commission recommendations, “despite a huge financial burden that would have to be born as a result by Uttar Pradesh.”

By this announcement, she presented the Central Government both bouquets and brickbats over implementing the Sixth Pay Commission (SPC).

New Delhi - At least 22 people were killed in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh in heavy rains since Monday, taking the death toll across the country in rain-related incidents to over 1,400 during the current monsoon season, officials and news reports said Tuesday.

Most of the deaths in Uttar Pradesh were caused by incidents of house collapse and flooding, the IANS news agency reported.

Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 19 : People in Uttar Pradesh''s Gonda District forced to spend nights in the open after the floodwaters inundated their huts and submerged their fields.

The villagers complained that if the administration taken preventive steps on time, the disaster could have been avoided. They also lamented the alleged apathy of the authorities in helping them out.

"We are surrounded by water. Water is there everywhere and we have no one to help us. No one has come to us for relief or rescue operations," said Ramnaresh Pathak, a resident.

The authorities, however, claimed that some relief has been provided and more would be made available soon.

Greater NOIDA (Uttar Pradesh), Au. 15 : A probe has been ordered into Wednesday''s clashes between agitating farmers and police in Greater NOIDA, which is located on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Farmers, demanding revision of compensation for the land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh Government, staged violent protests in which one policeman was killed and several farmers injured.

The situation turned ugly as the protesters started pelting stones and also fired with countrymade guns at the police.

"We have not attacked anybody, we ourselves ran for our life. Some of our friends are still missing. 8-9 farmers are in one hospital and 2 died in Apollo hospital. We don''t know anything about others," said Vijay Mohan, a farmer.

Varanasi, Aug. 14 : To prevent terrorists succeed in their nefarious designs in the holy city Varanasi, the Uttar Pradesh police have thought it prudent to spread general awareness to equip people to safeguard their lives.

As part of its initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Police recently reached out to students and informed them about what to do after coming across any terror threat or incident. Students were told how to react in different situations.