Broadband internet services restored after week-long suspension in J-K’s Doda
Doda/Jammu, Sep 14 (PTI): Authorities on Sunday restored broadband internet services in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district where the situation started returning to normal after nearly one-week long restrictions following detention of sitting AAP MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act, officials said.
Malik, who is also president of AAP's J-K unit, was detained on September 8 for allegedly disturbing public order in the district. His detention sparked violent protests, following which authorities imposed prohibitory restrictions and snapped mobile internet and broadband services.
The restrictions on the movement of people were eased for six hours from Saturday noon after Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Shridhar Patil, along with Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Mehta held a meeting with civil society members, including representatives of traders and transporters.
The representatives were assured that restrictions would be progressively eased out starting immediately, the officials said.
The reopening of shops in the market, resumption of transport services, restoration of broadband and mobile internet services and the reopening of schools will be carried out in a phased manner after assessing the ground situation, the officers had said.
Broadband internet services were restored, while additional forces were removed from the markets which opened this morning, the officials said.
At the meeting, the representatives of Beopar Mandal, Transport Association and others assured their active support and cooperation to the district administration in maintaining public order and requested for phase-wise lifting of restrictions imposed under section 163 BNSS, so that government and private business may run smoothly and the general public feels relieved.
The representatives highlighted that the general public suffered significant losses in the recent flood-like situation in the district and people have high hopes from the government in this time of distress. They pushed for immediate restoration of services including Internet, transport, while stressing on the opening of schools and the market, the officials said.
The officials said the civil society representatives assured their active support and cooperation to the administration in bringing the situation back on track.
The DIG commended the role and support of the general public of Doda and other stakeholders in maintaining peace and order in the district by foiling the attempts of disturbing public order.
However, he stressed upon the participants, particularly the business community, to activate the CCTV cameras and ensure their functionality so that activities of trouble creators could be monitored.
He sought cooperation and responsibility of the transport association, shopkeepers to keep an eye on miscreants and trouble creators which includes sensitization of drivers, labourers and workers connected with the business activities.
The deputy commissioner assured the meeting that the issues of the public related to supply of essential commodities shall be addressed in 24 hours.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
