Tribal woman with zero bank balance runs for Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh
Korba: Shanti Bai Marawi, a 33-year-old resident of Bhedrapani, Gourella village under the Korba Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh, has emerged as a candidate for the upcoming elections despite having zero balance in her bank account.
Running as an independent candidate, Marawi is locally known as 'Zero Balance' due to her financial status. Her decision to enter the electoral fray shows the inclusivity of Indian democracy, where individuals from diverse economic backgrounds can participate in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections.
Hailing from the Baiga community, Marawi's motivation to contest the elections stemmed from the frustration of feeling unheard by political parties. Encouraged by her husband Ram Kumar, she took the bold step to represent her community's concerns on a larger platform.
In order to meet the electoral requirements, candidates from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, like Marawi, are mandated to submit a security deposit of Rs 12,500. Despite their modest financial means, Marawi and her husband managed to gather the necessary funds with the support of their community members, who rallied behind their cause.
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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.
