In India's Uttar Pradesh, social media influencers can now get up to rupees eight lakhs (over $9,500) for promoting the schemes of the state government. However, those found posting "objectionable content" can face legal action.&nbsp;The move has predictably triggered sharp criticism from the opposition, who has accused the state's ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of trying to stifle freedom of expression.

<h2>Opposition slams Yogi government</h2>

Samajwadi Party (SP), an opposition party slamming the UP state government, said that the policy was aimed at stifling freedom of expression.

On X the party claimed that "The BJP/Yogi government has brought a provision to give lakhs of rupees of public money to those who falsely praise the government and to give jail/life imprisonment to those who raise public problems on social media"

"What else will the public expect from a scared government? The public will strongly oppose this BJP plan to curb freedom of expression," it added.

Congress party's UP social media chairperson Pankhuri Pathak also claimed that influencers criticising the government would be punished.

"Along with this, if social media influencers put forward any views that are not liked by the government or deemed objectionable by it, then they will be punished. That means, once again, an attempt is being made by the Uttar Pradesh Government to stifle freedom of expression," she alleged.

<h2>8 lakh a month</h2>

The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government will pay up to INR 800,000 per month to influencers. However, the exact amount would depend on the influencer's followers or subscribers across various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

"The category-wise maximum payout limit for payments to account holders or operators or influencers of X, Facebook, Instagram has been fixed at Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per month respectively," said the press note.

"The category wise maximum payout limit for videos, shorts, podcast payments on YouTube has been fixed at Rs 8 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, Rs 6 lakh and Rs 4 lakh per month respectively," it added.

However, influencers found posting "objectionable content" can expect legal action.

In a press note signed by Principal Secretary to the CM Sanjay Prasad, the UP government said: "In case of uploading objectionable content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, there is a provision for legal action against the concerned agency/firm as per rules. Under no circumstances should the content be indecent, obscene and anti-national".

<h2>What good can paying influencers do?</h2>

As per the UP government, the digital media policy would help create jobs.

It stated that under the policy, digital mediums like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube will be encouraged to display content promoting the state government and its schemes, and achievements.&nbsp;

"With the release of this policy, the residents of the state who are residing in different parts of the country and abroad will be ensured to get employment in large numbers," it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In India's Uttar Pradesh, social media influencers can now get up to rupees eight lakhs (over $9,500) for promoting the schemes of the state government. However, those found posting "objectionable content" can face legal action.

In India's Uttar Pradesh, social media influencers can now get up to rupees eight lakhs (over $9,500) for promoting the schemes of the state government. However, those found posting "objectionable content" can face legal action. The move has predictably triggered sharp criticism from the opposition, who has accused the state's ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of trying to stifle freedom of expression. Opposition slams Yogi government Samajwadi Party (SP), an opposition party slamming the UP state government, said that the policy was aimed at stifling freedom of expression. On X the party claimed that "The BJP/Yogi government has brought a provision to give lakhs of rupees of public money to those who falsely praise the government and to give jail/life imprisonment to those who raise public problems on social media" "What else will the public expect from a scared government? The public will strongly oppose this BJP plan to curb freedom of expression," it added. Congress party's UP social media chairperson Pankhuri Pathak also claimed that influencers criticising the government would be punished. "Along with this, if social media influencers put forward any views that are not liked by the government or deemed objectionable by it, then they will be punished. That means, once again, an attempt is being made by the Uttar Pradesh Government to stifle freedom of expression," she alleged. 8 lakh a month The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government will pay up to INR 800,000 per month to influencers. However, the exact amount would depend on the influencer's followers or subscribers across various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube. "The category-wise maximum payout limit for payments to account holders or operators or influencers of X, Facebook, Instagram has been fixed at Rs 5 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per month respectively," said the press note. "The category wise maximum payout limit for videos, shorts, podcast payments on YouTube has been fixed at Rs 8 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, Rs 6 lakh and Rs 4 lakh per month respectively," it added. However, influencers found posting "objectionable content" can expect legal action. In a press note signed by Principal Secretary to the CM Sanjay Prasad, the UP government said: "In case of uploading objectionable content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, there is a provision for legal action against the concerned agency/firm as per rules. Under no circumstances should the content be indecent, obscene and anti-national". What good can paying influencers do? As per the UP government, the digital media policy would help create jobs. It stated that under the policy, digital mediums like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube will be encouraged to display content promoting the state government and its schemes, and achievements. "With the release of this policy, the residents of the state who are residing in different parts of the country and abroad will be ensured to get employment in large numbers," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

Opposition slams Yogi govt for paying influencers for promotions, punishing 'objectionable' content

Indian state of&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said.&nbsp;

The official order declared&nbsp;an immediate ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items in the state. It cited concerns for public health as the reason and did not specifically mention details of the case.&nbsp;

“In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items is banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect,” the official order read.&nbsp;

A separate decree specified&nbsp;that legal action would be taken against pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetic products displaying halal certification.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/naked-bodies-of-russian-couple-found-in-indias-himachal-pradesh-probe-on-660125">Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on</a>

<h2>What is the case?&nbsp;</h2>

The case registered by Lucknow Police targeted Halal India Private Limited (Chennai), Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust (New Delhi), Halal Council of India (Mumbai), and Jamiat Ullema (Mumbai).

The complaint, filed by one Shailendra Kumar Sharma, alleged&nbsp;a potential large-scale conspiracy to diminish the sales of non-halal-certified products. It also said that this posed concerns about the involvement of anti-social and anti-national elements.

The complainant also contended that halal certificates are being issued for vegetarian products, where such certification is unnecessary. It added that this indicated a criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products.

Furthermore, it is alleged that the promotion of halal certification is being used as a guise for propaganda within a specific section of society, discouraging the use of products lacking a halal certificate.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-minister-goyal-urges-global-leaders-to-take-climate-action-as-opportunity-not-burden-660052">Indian minister Piyush Goyal urges global leaders to take climate action as opportunity, not burden</a>

Expressing worry about disproportionate profits being amassed by individuals involved in this scheme, the complaint&nbsp;by Kumar suggested the possibility of funds being channeled towards supporting terrorist organisations and anti-nationals.

The registered case involved charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery, and statements conducing to public mischief.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-asias-air-pollution-woes-659934">South Asia's air pollution woes</a>

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Terming the complaint "baseless", Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust in a statement said that it will take appropriate legal measures.&nbsp;"We adhere to government regulations, as emphasised in the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry notification, requiring all halal certification bodies to be registered by NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under Quality Council of India), a milestone that Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Halal Trust has achieved," it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said.

Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said. The official order declared an immediate ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items in the state. It cited concerns for public health as the reason and did not specifically mention details of the case. “In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items is banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect,” the official order read. A separate decree specified that legal action would be taken against pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetic products displaying halal certification. Also Read | Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on What is the case? The case registered by Lucknow Police targeted Halal India Private Limited (Chennai), Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust (New Delhi), Halal Council of India (Mumbai), and Jamiat Ullema (Mumbai). The complaint, filed by one Shailendra Kumar Sharma, alleged a potential large-scale conspiracy to diminish the sales of non-halal-certified products. It also said that this posed concerns about the involvement of anti-social and anti-national elements. The complainant also contended that halal certificates are being issued for vegetarian products, where such certification is unnecessary. It added that this indicated a criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products. Furthermore, it is alleged that the promotion of halal certification is being used as a guise for propaganda within a specific section of society, discouraging the use of products lacking a halal certificate. Also Read | Indian minister Piyush Goyal urges global leaders to take climate action as opportunity, not burden Expressing worry about disproportionate profits being amassed by individuals involved in this scheme, the complaint by Kumar suggested the possibility of funds being channeled towards supporting terrorist organisations and anti-nationals. The registered case involved charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery, and statements conducing to public mischief. Watch | South Asia's air pollution woes × Terming the complaint "baseless", Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust in a statement said that it will take appropriate legal measures. "We adhere to government regulations, as emphasised in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry notification, requiring all halal certification bodies to be registered by NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under Quality Council of India), a milestone that Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Halal Trust has achieved," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Uttar Pradesh govt bans Halal-certified edible items in state with immediate effect

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis.

Her appeal came over the demise of Pankaj Kulshrestha, a senior journalist from Agra, due to COVID-19.

"My condolences to his family and friends in the journalist community," she said

Journalists are doing an important job of providing information to people in this crisis, the Congress general secretary said.

"Comprehensive financial assistance to Pankaj Kulshrestha ji''s family and an insurance cover for all journalists should be announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Priyanka Gandhi said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday urged the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to provide insurance cover for journalists, asserting that they are performing an important duty of providing information in times of the coronavirus crisis. Her appeal came over the demise of Pankaj Kulshrestha, a senior journalist from Agra, due to COVID-19. "My condolences to his family and friends in the journalist community," she said Journalists are doing an important job of providing information to people in this crisis, the Congress general secretary said. "Comprehensive financial assistance to Pankaj Kulshrestha ji''s family and an insurance cover for all journalists should be announced by the Uttar Pradesh government," Priyanka Gandhi said.

Provide insurance cover for all journalists amid COVID-19: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urges UP govt

Watch India Watch, 19th June 2019. To know more watch the video

Watch India Watch, 19th June 2019

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Opposition slams Yogi govt for paying influencers for promotions, punishing 'objectionable' content

India: Uttar Pradesh govt bans Halal-certified edible items in state with immediate effect

Provide insurance cover for all journalists amid COVID-19: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urges UP govt

Watch India Watch, 19th June 2019