BJP calls for protest in Mangaluru on Sep 16 against Cong govt's 'anti-labour' policies
Mangaluru (PTI): The BJP on Monday announced a protest in Mangaluru on September 16 against the alleged "anti-people and anti-labour" policies of the Congress government in Karnataka.
BJP state secretary and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, in a statement here, said restrictions imposed on laterite stone and sand mining have resulted in acute shortages across Dakshina Kannada district.
He said the crisis has stalled development projects and dashed the hopes of the poor who aspire to build homes.
Chowta alleged that construction workers and contractors have been left without jobs, pushing thousands of families into hardship.
"The Congress government has been making empty promises for the past three months while imposing arbitrary curbs on quarrying and sand extraction. The construction sector has suffered losses running into hundreds of crores," he said.
The protest will be staged in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha in Mangaluru from 9 am to 5 pm. BJP leaders, workers, and affected individuals are expected to participate in large numbers.
Chowta charged that the state government's inaction has caused "immense distress" to daily wage earners dependent on the construction sector.
"This is not just about stalled projects; it is about the survival of thousands of families," he said, calling on the public to join the dharna.
The BJP has vowed to continue its agitation until the state government announces a clear and lasting solution to the sand and laterite stone shortage in coastal Karnataka.
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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.
