No going back on CAA, govt firm on it: Union Minister
Hyderabad: Amid ongoing protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), senior BJP leader and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday said there was no going back on the amended law and the government was firm on it.
"We are not going to make any changes in the present CAA which has been passed by the Parliament. Those who are opposing it through a 'horror show' need to understand it very clearly that there is no rethinking on this,"the Minority Affairs Minister told reporters at the sidelines of an event here.
The Acts passed by Parliament have to be implemented by all states. There cannot be any ifs or buts. All parts of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, have to implement them, he said.
"I also want to assure the Indian Muslims that their socio, economic, religious, constitutional, rights and of every Indian are absolutely safe and secure, he said adding India is the safest country for minorities.
Naqvi further saidIndian Muslims are living in the country with commitment and not by compulsion. "Indian Muslims are staying in the country with 'majbooti' (strength) and not 'majboori' (helplessness)," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
