UP’s Jalalabad renamed as Parshurampuri

Lucknow: The latest city to see a name change in Uttar Pradesh is Jalalabad, which has been renamed Parshurampuri. Jalalabad Nagar Palika Parishad will also be called Parshurampuri.The decision was taken in the UP cabinet meeting on Monday. Finance minister Suresh Khanna said the demand to rename Jalalabad had been pending since years, as Jalalabad was the birth place of Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar or Lord Vishnu.The name change comes at a crucial point with state elections just months away. It also ties in with govt’s push to reclaim Sambhal as the prophecised birth place of Kalki, the final avtar of Lord Vishnu.Khanna said that on April 24, 2025, UP govt received a proposal to change the name of Jalalabad under the Shahjahanpur district. On June 27, 2025, govt sought permission from the Centre for the name change, the no objection for which was received on Aug 19.In another major decision, the cabinet approved a proposal under which medal winning athletes will get direct entry into govt. UP govt will now include 35 posts under the Uttar Pradesh International Medal Winners Direct Recruitment Rules, 2022, including nine for sports officers, 23 for deputy sports officers and three for district youth welfare officers.

Sports minister Girish Chandra Yadav said: “Owing to govt’s continuous encouragement of sports activities, development of sports infrastructure and the growing interest of youth in sports, the participation of UP’s athletes in international competitions and their medal tally have been steadily increasing. In view of this, the need was felt to expand the posts included under the existing Rules and increase their number to provide adequate employment opportunities for sportspersons.

”These appointments will remain outside the purview of the UP Public Service Commission.