Discussed rehabilitation of Wayanad landslides survivors with district officials: Priyanka Gandhi
Wayanad (PTI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said she held discussions with the district officials regarding the concerns raised by some survivors of the 2024 Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides of being left out of the final rehabilitation list.
Speaking to reporters here, Priyanka, who is in her constituency since Thursday, said the issues raised by the survivors, whom she met a day ago, were "genuine" and the District Collector Meghashree D R is aware of the same.
"Today, we discussed it. The DC is very well aware of the issues, and she's trying to do her part and I am also. I think it is a question of us coordinating better on what we are doing for them.
"Also, whatever is possible to be done through the administration, they will do and whatever is not possible, we can help with that. So, we had a good meeting and I think we will be able to help," the Congress MP stated.
She said that the survivors raised very specific issues, like those who have lost land but were not included in the final list, even though they were there in the earlier list, due to some reason or particular criteria.
Priyanka assured that those who have been excluded from the final list will be included in the hundred houses the Congress party is building.
"So it's a question of coordinating, we are doing it. I think everybody is trying their best," she said.
The July 2024 landslides in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala area of Wayanad had claimed over 200 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Later, a statement issued by the party said that the Congress MP also discussed with the Collector the locals' complaints about loss of jobs due to the non-opening of the Bailey Bridge, which was constructed by the Army following the landslides for restoring connectivity to the disaster-struck area.
She also brought to the Collector's attention the complaints regarding the treatment cost of those who sustained serious injuries in the landslides, the statement said.
It further said that following the discussions, the Collector assured that the Bailey Bridge will be opened with certain restrictions after the rains are over.
During the day, Priyanka also visited the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and interacted with the forest department officials, the statement added.
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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.
