Karnataka govt to provide Rs 5 cr in flood relief for Himachal Pradesh
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has pledged to release Rs five crore for disaster relief and rehabilitation in flood-ravaged Himachal Pradesh.
In a letter to his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured that the people of Karnataka stand in solidarity with the people of HP in this hour of distress.
"The loss of precious lives, displacement of families, and destruction of homes and infrastructure have deeply moved us in Karnataka. At moments like these, when nature tests our resilience, the spirit of unity and fraternity that binds our nation becomes our greatest strength," he said, in a letter dated September 12.
Siddaramaiah said the prayers and goodwill of the people of Karnataka are with the "resilient" people of Himachal Pradesh, and expressed confidence that the state will emerge from this tragedy with renewed strength and resolve.
"As a gesture of solidarity and support, the Government of Karnataka has decided to release a contribution of Rs 5 Crore towards disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in your state. While we know that no sum can ever truly compensate the human and material losses suffered, it is our earnest hope that this assistance will bring some immediate relief to the affected families," he added.
Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 4,122 crore due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides triggered by heavy rains from June 20 to September 8, and 370 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents in the state, according to the state emergency operation centre.
Out of the 370 fatalities, 205 were due to rain-related incidents, which include 43 deaths from landslides, 17 from cloudbursts, and nine from flash floods. Additionally, 41 people are still reported missing, while road accidents have accounted for 165 deaths.
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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.
