Caste census alone won't suffice, conduct socio-economic survey as well: Siddaramaiah tells Centre
Bagalkote (Karnataka), Apr 30 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday insisted that the Centre should conduct a socio-economic survey as the caste census alone will not suffice.
In a major decision, the Centre on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a ‘transparent’ manner.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue, and some states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka have conducted such surveys in their states.
Karnataka carried out a ‘social and educational survey’ covering 94 per cent of the state population. After nine years of the exercise since 2015, the then Backward Class Commission Chairperson Jayaprakash Hegde submitted the report to the chief minister in February 2024.
Amid internal differences over the caste census report, a special meeting of the state cabinet that met on April 17, 2025, to discuss it, ended inconclusive, without any major decision.
Speaking to reporters here, Siddaramaiah said, "We (Congress) had said in our manifesto that a socio-economic and caste census should be conducted. I don’t know whether they would do just a caste census or a socio-economic survey as well. I will react after going through it (Centre’s decision)."
Siddaramaiah said a socio-economic survey was necessary for social justice.
"They (Centre) have said they would do a census and caste census. Socio-economic survey is very important. If we have to do social justice, then socio-economic survey has to be done," he added.
When he was reminded that he faced criticism for tabling the caste census at a cabinet meeting held recently, the chief minister said he had told all the ministers to give their opinion.
"After the ministers submit their opinion in writing, we will present it in the cabinet and discuss the socio-economic survey report," Siddaramaiah added.
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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.
