Nation bearing brunt of 'differences' between Modi-Shah: Chhattisgarh CM Baghel
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said the country is bearing the brunt of "differences" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue of the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Speaking at a function here on Friday, the Congress leader alleged that the BJP was "misleading" the country, and asked people to remain alert.
"While Amit Shah says NRC will be implemented, Prime Minister contradicts his statement. Who is speaking the truth and who is lying? Who is right, the PM or the Home Minister?.
It seems that there are some differences between the two and the entire country is bearing its brunt. You need to remain alert...," Baghel said.
He accused the BJP was "misleading" and "dividing" the country.
Hitting out at the Centre over the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC, Baghel said, "There is no discussion in this government (at the Centre) over problems of price rise, economic crisis and unemployment being faced by the country, rather the focus is only on citizenship."
He said questioning people about their citizenship was an "insult to them.
"A huge chunk of Chhattisgarh's population is below poverty line. Neither they have land nor their parents were literate. Due to lack of certain documents, how they will prove their citizenship?" he asked.
During the previous five years of NDA government, Modi gave "nothing except pain" to people and now, since last seven to eight months, Amit Shah has been doing the same and has brought people out on the streets, he alleged.
Baghel also raised questions over the probe into the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack, saying startling revelations were coming out about a Jammu and Kashmir police officer in connection with the incident.
J&K Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh, who he had been posted in Pulwama as DSP at that time, was arrested last weekend with Hizbul terrorists in south Kashmir.
Baghel said the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 security personnel were killed, took place before last year's Lok Sabha polls.
"So far, no investigation has been conducted into the incident. Who was responsible for the ghastly attack?" the chief minister asked.
Without taking any name, he said, "One DSP was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir and it is being said he was posted there during the Pulwama attack. Startling revelations are coming up about the officer."
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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.
