Those who did nothing in 60 yrs questioning Modi govt: Shah on Congress raising jobs, economy issues
Ahmedabad, Jan 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties for spreading negativity on jobs and economy fronts, saying those who did nothing in 60 years of their rule are now questioning the Modi government.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) here, the minister said the government's target to make India a USD 5 trillion economy was achievable and the youth's inclination towards entrepreneurship may play a big role in achieving the objective.
Shah said the Congress could only manage to take the country's economy to a USD 2 trillion mark despite ruling for decades, but the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership took it to USD 3 trillion in just 5 years time.
Taking a dig at the Congress, he said those who did nothing to steer the country's economy in 60 years were now questioning the present government.
He said the government is taking necessary steps to ensure that youth get the required skills and employment opportunities and are future ready.
On the Opposition being raising the issue of unemployment, he said there are some who view things through a negative prism.
"When they talk about unemployment, a question always comes to my mind, you have ruled this country for 50-60 years, what measures did you take," Shah asked referring to different Congress-led governments that were in power at the Centre since Independence.
He further asked was there any new solution found during 50-60 years of Congress' rule to provide employment to the country's youth.
Is it justifiable that "you (Congress) ruled for 50 years without doing anything new and now you are seeking answers from us,'' he said.
The senior BJP leader said that the government has been taking several initiatives to skill the youth, saying that the young population is a major strength of the country.
"Some may view this as a weakness, but I think 70 crore young population is a major strength," the minister said.
He said the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) will not only help skill India's youth but will also make them job creators instead of job-seekers.
On this occasion, Industrialist Ratan Tata, whose group is partnering the government in setting up the institute, said many visionary initiatives were being taken up by the present regime.
"I only hope that if I was twenty years younger, I would have more actively participated in this landmark vision. This vision of skilling the youth of the country in market relevant skills is surely taking India forward while making mark on the global landscape," Tata said.
Union Minister for Skill Development Mahendra Nath Pandey said before Narendra Modi became prime minister, the country had seen politics of opportunism barring a small period of ruling under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Pandey also emphasised on skill development and said it ranged from areas from defence to artificial intelligence now.
The 20-acre Indian Institute of Skills is among the three institutes that the government is setting up.
The government has chosen Kanpur, Mumbai and Gandhinagar to set up Indian Institutes of Skills.
The foundation stone for IIS, Kanpur was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at NSTI, Kanpur in December, 2016. The foundation stone for the institute in Mumbai was laid last year.
The proposed institutes are to be modelled on Singapore's ITES. Shah laid the foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) at Nasmed in Kalol tehsil of Gandhinagar through remote control at a ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
The IIS Gandhinagar and Mumbai are being set up in partnership with the Tata Education and Development Trust. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran were also present on this occasion.
Shah suggested linking of the Indian Institute of Skills, Gandhinagar with around 272 industrial training institutes in the state towards upgradation of ITIs, a suggestion which was accepted by Ratan Tata.
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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.
