VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html The ‘Amazing Race’ star, Tim Janus, passes away at 49 after a long battle with cancer Horoscope Today, 24th September, 2026: A Stuck Situation Could Begin Moving for These Zodiac Animals India’s wedding economy is getting bigger and more global; how curated expos are changing the way couples discover, plan and celebrate | ​In 1997, John Oates built a five-bedroom log home on his 4.3-acre Colorado ranch after starting with largely undeveloped land; 28 years later, the longtime retreat sold for $6.9 million Representative image NEW DELHI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed restricting the use of the term “paneer” for products not made from milk-derived ingredients, saying the move is aimed at preventing consumers from being misled about a product’s nature and composition.Under the draft Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Amendment Regulations, 2026, products currently licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would have to discontinue the use of “paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling and marketing.The proposed amendment specifically defines the restricted category as “paneer made of constituents not derived from milk.”FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions on the draft, which will be considered after 60 days from publication of the notification.The notification was issued on September 22 and published in the Gazette of India on September 23.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 Accused123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 24, 2026, 21:52 IST Shah Rukh Khan gets a taste of his own ‘Don’ dialogue as Ranbir Kapoor roasts him and Alia Bhatt joins in; fans demand a film: ‘Cast them in a film’ Tata Sons tells Noel Tata Chandrasekaran reappointment was legally valid: Report An Alabama man fought a power company over a 74-mile transmission line planned across his 416-acre retirement property; after crews moved within 500 yards, a judge temporarily blocked them from entering Uttarakhand CM Dhami flags off 4 successful NIM mountaineering expeditions, lauds climbers’ courage and team spirit DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday flagged off four successful mountaineering expeditions conducted by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttarkashi, at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in Dehradun.The expeditions included a joint Mount Aconcagua expedition carried out in collaboration with the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam.Congratulating the mountaineers on the successful completion of their expeditions, CM Dhami appreciated their courage, discipline, technical expertise and team spirit displayed during challenging high-altitude conditions.He said that the achievements of the mountaineers would inspire the youth of Uttarakhand and across the country to take up adventure activities.Furthermore, CM Dhami also inaugurated the newly constructed gaushala at Haldi Farm in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar.Addressing the gathering, he added, “Today’s event is not merely the formal inauguration of a ‘gaushala’, where a shelter is built, opened, and we all gather and leave, but rather a symbol of our resolve to provide a safe and dignified home for all the destitute cattle that have no one to look after them and are currently roaming the streets. That initiative begins here today. I am aware that for some time now, our farmer brothers and sisters have been deeply troubled by these stray cattle roaming freely… If a fence weakened even slightly, the crops would be wiped out… Above all, the animals themselves were unsafe… However, I am fully confident that the opening of this magnificent gaushala will bring great relief to our farmers and residents regarding this issue…”Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami said, “A shelter has been established here for more than 2000 destitute cattle. This initiative will expand further; we are constructing similar ‘gaushalas’ (cow shelters) at over 60 locations across the state to address the issue of stray cattle roaming the streets-a situation that poses risks to the animals themselves and causes significant trouble for farmers and the general public, including the destruction of crops.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”He added, “Therefore, they deserve a dignified place to stay, along with proper arrangements for fodder and other necessities. We have put all the required systems in place and have also called upon voluntary organisations to step forward and contribute to this cause. The completion of this ‘gaushala’ marks significant progress in our efforts, and I hope that, with everyone’s cooperation, our work will continue to advance in the same manner.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 Accused123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court ‘Hanuman Ansh’ co-producer Anupriya Nagar says Bollywood producers who once refused the film have now apologised: ‘That was the biggest mistake’ Heard of the mythological rivers of milk and ghee? UP’s Moradabad witnessed a similar scene as locals rushed with buckets to collect ghee after tanker overturns: Watch video to know what happened Zodiac Love Horoscope Predictions, 25th September, 2026: Emotional Clarity Rules Under Aquarius Moon; How Your Love Life Changes Today Before WWE fame, Cody Rhodes’ journey saw early wrestling success, the Stardust era, a 2016 exit, career rebuilding outside WWE and a celebrated return as a global star Thucydides Trap: Xi Jinping tests Donald Trump with ‘Thucydides Trap’ 94% of packaged foods may face warnings under nutrient limits; FSSAI ex-chief Pawan Kumar Agarwal urges SC for phased food warning rollout NEW DELHI: A day after FSSAI filed its compliance affidavit on front-of-pack warning labels, former FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said he was comfortable with the regulator’s position, provided the transition period leads to significant improvement in the nutritional composition of packaged foods.Agarwal, through the Food Future Foundation, filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court on September 22 in the ongoing case on front-of-pack warning labels. The application seeks to assist the court on the questions it had raised on the design, scientific basis and implementation of the proposed warning system.The intervention says the transition period should drive progressive reformulation, not merely allow companies to change packaging. It proposes interim nutrient thresholds, followed by tighter limits over three to five years, with milestones and timelines announced upfront.It also recommends that any one nutrient crossing the prescribed threshold should trigger a warning, so a beverage high in sugar, for instance, cannot escape a warning because it remains below the sodium and saturated fat limits.The intervention cites a NatFirst analysis of 44,109 barcode records of packaged, branded food products available at retail in India. It found that 94.1% of the records exceeded at least one nutrient threshold, while 85.3% of those classified as high in fat, sugar and salt exceeded two or more thresholds.The figures are not weighted by sales or consumption, and NatFirst said they do not establish that individual products are unsafe, unhealthy or non-compliant. The Foundation has also proposed product-level modelling to set interim thresholds and assess their impact on warnings and reformulation.FSSAI’s September 23 affidavit proposes a single-phase rollout, with about four months to finalise the regulations, followed by a 60-day stakeholder and World Trade Organization consultation and a 365-day implementation period for food businesses. It has a red hexagon on a white square. One nutrient crossing the threshold would be named in the hexagon, while two or three would be listed together.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHowever, NAPi has opposed putting multiple nutrients in a single hexagon, saying each nutrient should have a separate warning. It has also sought larger, bolder warnings, with their size linked to the package’s principal display area.NAPi has further called for implementation by July 2027 or earlier, instead of 2028, and questioned the use of “added sugar”, arguing that total sugar should also be considered. It cited an ICMR-NIN communication calling for the 2024 Dietary Guidelines to be applied as an integrated framework, including energy density and total nutrient levels.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 Accused123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court When ‘The Paradise’ star Nani revealed buying Chevella farmhouse for his 96-year-old grandfather after seeing him struggle in the city due to ‘memory issues at home’: ‘Now, he goes for walks and does exercises’ 5 things you don’t need to have figured out in your 20s, 30s, or 40s Career & Money Predictions, 25th September, 2026: Leverage analytical focus, tech solutions, and smart long-term money management under today’s planetary alignments Wife sold shares for Rs 8.31 crore LTCG, bought husband’s Mumbai property for Rs 7.5 crore and claimed Section 54F exemption; taxman calls it tax avoidance, but ITAT Mumbai gives relief to her Stanford AI row: Students outraged as university uses AI to alter Hispanic student with Black student in promotional ad Dolly Parton’s estate lawsuit claims nephew Bryan Seaver said he sold $27 million worth of ammunition and arms to Haitian police on the day the singer died: Report Nato Intelligence-Sharing: Nato boosts intelligence-sharing as Russia-linked sabotage fears grow in Europe 19-year-old lost his lamp in an Australian cave in 1953, survived three days, became a NASA scientist; 68 years later, students found the lamp still hanging | World News Sep 24, 2026, 21:40 IST Official logo of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (representative image) NEW DELHI: In a move that may boost port-adjacent industries by allowing storage of specific chemicals in coastal areas, the govt has expanded the list of petroleum and chemical products permitted for storage in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) by amending the existing CRZ notification, 2019.The amendment, published by the Union environment ministry on Thursday, now provides for storing 26 petroleum and chemical products in the coastal areas instead of 23 such products permitted earlier. The additional products are linear alkyl benzene, N-paraffin and carbon black feedstock.The list of 23 already permitted products includes crude oil, LPG, kerosene, aviation fuel, high-speed diesel, lubricating oil, CNG, naphtha, acetic acid, methanol, liquefied natural gas and furnace oil, among others.The amendment was notified to accommodate formal representations made by various State Coastal Zone Management Authorities to facilitate the industrial receipt and storage of these specific chemicals in coastal areas. The decision was finally taken after the sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee for CRZ clearances and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority gave their nod.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ministry’s notification said that National Coastal Zone Management Authority, after due deliberation, considering the comparatively lower hazardous chemical characteristics of these products in relation to those already permitted, “unanimously recommended allowing the receipt and storage of Linear Alkyl Benzene, N-Paraffin, and Carbon Black Feedstock in CRZ areas”, excluding Coastal Regulation Zone-IA, through the necessary amendment.It means these products will not be allowed for storage in the environmentally most critical CRZ-IA areas (like mangroves, coral reefs, and turtle nesting grounds) along the coastline. This zone plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of the coast and acting as a natural defence against hazards like cyclones, storms, and tsunamis.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sanjay Mishra mourns ‘Welcome’ co-star Mushtaq Khan’s death: ‘He became like a guardian to me; did not get the credit he deserved’ Panda diplomacy: Xi announces 2 giant pandas for Atlanta zoo in US Did AI-enabled ‘kill chain’, outdated intel lead to deadly Iran school strike? What report claims Rape-murder of A law student: Petitioner Ameer-Ul-Islam seeking transfer from Viyyur Central Prison in Kerala to a jail in Assam NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday laid down safeguards against the immediate arrest of a parent or family member accused under the POCSO Act when the alleged offence involves a child living under the same roof and there is a matrimonial dispute between the child’s parents.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan, flagging a rise in fakecases, said police should not act in haste in such cases and directed that, as a general rule, an expert in child and adolescent psychiatry or clinical psychology should evaluate the child before authorities decide whether there is sufficient reason to arrest the accused.The court said the safeguards were necessary in cases where allegations may be influenced by a strained relationship between the parents. It stressed that the measures do not dilute the seriousness of offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, but are intended to ensure that the power of arrest is exercised after considering all relevant circumstances.The court said immediate arrest should not take place when two conditions are present: a POCSO offence is alleged against a parent or family member living with the child, and a matrimonial dispute exists between the child’s parents, whether or not the dispute is pending before a court.The police officer receiving the complaint must verify whether such a matrimonial dispute exists, the court said. “When the above-stated threshold conditions are met, post the registration of an FIR, we are of the considered opinion that the investigating officer should not act in haste or take coercive actions in the form of arrest immediately,” the bench added, as quoted by PTI.The verdict came in a matrimonial dispute involving an estranged Bengaluru couple. The wife had alleged that the child was sexually assaulted. The case was investigated by the CBI, which found the allegation to be false. The Supreme Court restored custody of the child to the father, taking into account the welfare of the minor.The court also directed the investigating officer or the Special Juvenile Police Unit to seek the services of an expert in child and adolescent psychiatry or clinical psychology, in consultation with the District Child Protection Unit or, where one is unavailable, the District Legal Services Authority, adding that the expert’s evaluation must be conducted independently and without influence from either the parent or investigating authorities.After receiving the evaluation, investigators must consider the expert’s opinion along with other evidence and circumstances before deciding whether there is “reason to believe” that the accused committed the offence and whether an arrest is warranted. The court said an exception could be made in cases where the material available is “palpable”, allowing the investigating officer to dispense with an expert evaluation, but reasons for doing so must be recorded in writing.The bench also stressed that arrest is not automatically required merely because an offence is cognisable. The court said an arrest can cause “irreparable harm” to an accused parent or family member, particularly where the allegation later turns out to be unfounded.The Supreme Court also raised concerns about the consequences of allegations on children and their relationship with the accused parent.”The trauma that a child is put through in the process and the accusation can damage the very fabric of the parent-child relationship,” the bench said, adding that such a wound could leave an “indelible scar” on both the child and parent.The court also flagged what it described as an increase in false allegations in matrimonial disputes.”What is alarming is that this tendency of making false accusations is on the rise,” it said.The bench cautioned against parents being influenced by advisers during matrimonial disputes, saying that some may be driven by a “win at any cost” approach.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAt the same time, the court said the safeguards were not a finding that allegations made in such circumstances are false. Investigating authorities must examine the allegations along with the surrounding circumstances and other evidence.For complaints filed directly before a special court, the Supreme Court said an order taking cognisance and summoning an accused must demonstrate application of mind. The special court should also involve an expert in child and adolescent psychiatry or clinical psychology to evaluate the child and submit a report.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Salman Khan and Nayanthara’s ‘Monster’ locks a Rs 100 crore theatrical deal with multiplex chain: ‘Leading giant in exhibition is confident of making big profits’ – Report ‘US and China should coexist in peace’: Xi meets Trump at White House on second state visit Built in 1951, Gavin Newsom’s San Francisco childhood home listed for $4.5 million after renovation; property was owned by his maternal grandfather and sold by family in the 1970s Akhilesh Yadav greets the crowd at the party’s PDA Rath Yatra campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections, in Raebareli NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the Election Commission of facilitating what he called “vote theft” of the PDA bloc in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, claiming that his party would have formed the government had the alleged irregularities not taken place.Addressing a public meeting in Raebareli after arriving on the party’s specially designed PDA Rath, Yadav also said the SP would contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in alliance, with seat-sharing based on the ability of a candidate or party to win.”The Election Commission has been exposed and has worked like a puppet. Such a low level of work may never have happened in a democracy. Now, there is no trust in the Election Commission,” Yadav said.The PDA acronym, coined by Yadav in 2023, refers to Pichhde (backward classes), Dalits and Alpsankhyak (minorities).Akhilesh links 2022 result to alleged ‘vote theft’Yadav alleged that the BJP was using the election machinery because it knew people would not vote for the party on issues such as inflation.He claimed that the alleged “vote theft” in the 2022 Assembly polls had prevented the SP from forming the government in Uttar Pradesh.The SP chief also attacked what he described as “bulldozer politics”, saying the PDA movement would challenge it in the 2027 elections.”This time (in 2027) the electoral verdict would not merely defeat them but would ‘demolish’ and permanently eliminate such negative politics,” he said.Yadav also referred to the 2024 Lok Sabha election, saying, “We defeated them in 2024 and in 2027 we will work for their (BJP) permanent defeat.”The SP and Congress had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh as allies, winning 37 and six seats respectively, for a combined tally of 43. The BJP won 33 seats in the state.SP says 2027 alliance will depend on winnabilityYadav said the SP would contest the 2027 polls as part of an alliance, although he did not specify its partners or the number of seats each party would contest.”We will have an alliance,” he said, adding that the basis for deciding seats would be winnability.”Whoever can win a seat should get that seat,” Yadav asserted.His remarks come as the SP and Congress face the question of whether they can maintain their alliance for the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.Yadav’s PDA Rath campaign was launched from Raebareli, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is the sitting Lok Sabha MP. The SP had said Yadav’s visit also included a planned meeting with Harchandpur MLA Rahul Lodhi, following a September 17 clash involving members of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and ABVP.Police had denied allegations of manhandling by SP workers and said a magisterial inquiry into the police action had been ordered.The specially designed PDA Rath carries slogans including “Samajwadi PDA Yatra” and “PDA hi parivartan layega”, along with the definition of PDA as Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak.Yadav attacks BJP over UCC, jobs and schoolsYadav also criticised the BJP over the alleged demolition of religious structures in Kashi and Saharanpur, accusing the party of pursuing communal politics and weakening social harmony.On the proposed Uniform Civil Code, he said laws should follow efforts to ensure equality among citizens.”We say first make the citizens equal; first, let all of us become one. When everyone’s respect becomes equal, then bring laws to increase that respect and take people forward,” he said.On employment, Yadav promised that an SP government would increase government recruitment and provide jobs to young people.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”If outsourcing has to be ended, we will end outsourcing,” he said.He also promised free treatment in hospitals, saying people would not have to search for a card before receiving healthcare.Yadav accused the state government of shutting primary schools while opening liquor shops and said an SP government would reopen schools that had been closed.He also promised to restore the old pension scheme for government employees.The Raebareli visit marks the beginning of the SP’s PDA-focused outreach ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, with Yadav using the campaign to reiterate his allegations against the Election Commission, outline his alliance strategy and present the party’s key electoral promises.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Mushtaq Khan passes away at 56: Revisiting his iconic roles in ‘Welcome’, ‘Gadar’ and more 5 dirtiest places in your office that you probably touch every day From red carpet to flypast to banquet, Trump lays it on thick for Xi Widow of Indian-origin pilot killed in helicopter accident minutes after their wedding in Georgia sues venue, chopper company: She was trapped under her dead husband for hours Sep 24, 2026, 20:50 IST Who is Rishikanth? From Temple Monkeys to ‘Modha Rathiri’ and ‘Dorothy’, the 15-year journey behind Tamil cinema’s rising star UPI merchant payment row: Banks to ensure merchants don’t pass charges to consumers, say govt sources In New York, 29 million discarded glass bottles were ground into concrete for JPMorgan Chase’s 60-storey headquarters; replacing 40% of its cement cut over 5,000 tons of carbon and enhanced concrete strength Electric transmission towers in frame as Power ministry sends draft National Electricity Policy 2026 to Cabinet NEW DELHI: Union power ministry has finalised the draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) and moved the Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultation.Released in Jan this year, the draft National Electricity Policy has proposed index-linked automatic annual tariff revision, sought to limit cross-subsidies for the manufacturing sector and railways, increase nuclear capacity, repurpose older thermal units for grid support, and take measures to reduce transmission and distribution losses.Union power secretary Pankaj Agarwal said the ministry received a number of comments and suggestions from stakeholders, which were subsequently examined and accommodated in the draft policy.“We have aggregated all the stakeholders’ comments. We have already moved the Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultation and I think it shouldn’t be taking very long,” Agarwal told reporters on the sidelines of the 2nd Indian Power Sector Conference organised by Ficci.The last NEP was notified in 2005, when the sector was facing challenges such as demand-supply gaps, limited electricity access and inadequate infrastructure.“Today we are at a very different level…we are already at 300 gigawatt of non-fossil and now going forward, the challenges are entirely different like grid management and building transmission systems,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWith the rise in renewable energy, grid stability has emerged as a major challenge, along with under-utilisation of transmission lines during non-solar hours. Agarwal said grid utilisation was also a dimension of NEP 2026. “You can’t expect it to be utilised 24×7 at a particular level. There will be more fluctuations. If we can really use 60% of grid capacity, I think that’s a fairly good thing,” he said.The power secretary also said steps were being taken to indigenously design and produce chips for smart meters and the ministry had mandated requirements for their manufacturing, along with timelines. He added that some of the designs had to be tested and validated before commercial production began.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row21-Year Search Ends As Jamui Police Arrest Double Murder Accused While Raiding House Of His Son‘Anti-National’ Gyanesh Kumar Must Resign: CJP’s Dipke, Saurav Das List 3 Demands Amid SIR-EC RowLoP Role ‘Largely Ornamental’?: SC Judges Split Over EC Appointment Law, Matter Sent To CJIRam Temple Donation Case: SIT Files 74,000-Page Chargesheet Against 8 AccusedSahil Wakode Death Case: CCTV Footage Surfaces; IIT Bombay Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel’Illegal’ Changes to IT System Row: Timeline of Sandhu & Joshi’s Objections Over Form 6, ECINet, SIRVivek Joshi & SS Sandhu: The 2 Election Commissioners Who ‘Raised Objections’ Over SIR, Form-6CJP Takes On Election Commission After Report; Will This Lead To Next Jantar Mantar? | WatchCEC, ECs And The Power To Decide: What Happens When Election Commissioners Disagree?123Hot PicksIBPS PO Prelims Result 2026Bank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysSchool holiday todaySamastipur girl molestationTelangana school holidayMumbai-Pune ExpresswayCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Updated: Sep 24, 2026, 20:31 IST Alia Bhatt gives shout-out to Ranbir Kapoor after ‘Love And War’ first-look release: ‘Hey handsome’ 6 simple tips to grow onions at home in pots, containers and small garden spaces | Maricarmen Eviction: 87-year-old’s eviction in Madrid sparks protests as Spain’s housing crisis deepens CNN, MS NOW, Politico seek emergency hearing after White House denies access despite court order | World News Dhanush calls Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Dorothy’ ‘a masterpiece’ and says Ilaiyaraaja’s background score ‘will blow your mind away’ ahead of September 25 release How Microsoft helped uncover an urban myth; it went that Atari buried millions of game cartridges in Mexico desert; unravelling 30-year-old ‘El Paso warehouse mystery’