The cabinet decided on Monday to stop religion-based assistance programs under the Madrasa Department and the Information & Cultural Department, noting that current projects will continue through the end of the month and then be phased out.

The central probe agency made the key arrest on Sunday after an interrogation that lasted seven hours. Motegaonkar is accused of leaking questions from the NEET-UG examination days ahead of the test, as part of an organised syndicate.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that people must offer namaz in a regulated manner and that it can be performed in shifts if required, adding that the administration would seek compliance through persuasion. He warned that if they fail to obey, strict measures will be taken.