'Bill to screen judges will weed out unsuited'

After inaugurating the Ninth State-level Conference of Karnataka State Advocates organised by the Karnataka State Bar Council and Hubli Bar Association here on Sunday, he said the proposed Judges’ Standard and Accountability Bill would neither allow any tainted person to become a judge, nor a tainted judge to continue in his position.
The process for according permanent status to the High Court Circuit Benches at Dharwad and Gulbarga was on, the Law Minister said and expressed confidence that the long-standing aspiration of the judicial community and litigants in north Karnataka would be met soon.

Moily said the Commercial Courts Bill, if passed by both Houses in the Parliament in its next session would make India the favoured destination for investment. The Arbitration Act was also being amended, and it was being thought to introduce the Anti-Tout Law during the tenure of the current Lok Sabha.

The Law Minister said a campaign would be conducted throughout the country from January 1 to June 30, for release of undertrial prisoners who had spent more time in jail than the maximum punishment their alleged crime merited.

Judicial reforms
Giving details of the proposed judicial reforms, the law minister said, the Cabinet had approved the blueprint for judicial reforms prepared after the National Consultation on
As per the blueprint, a National Arrears Grid would be established to deliver justice in pending cases on priority basis. The grid would work on fast-track mode. Attempts would be made to bring reforms in legal education also, he added.

More funds
Moily also assured that the Centre was ready to sanction funds to set up family courts, but no proposals were coming in this regard.

Major and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani released the souvenir of the conference.

Karnataka State Bar Council Chairman R Abdul Reyaz Khan presided over the function.
Others present

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar was the chief guest. Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai, MP Prahlad Joshi and members of the Legislative Assembly Chandrakanth Bellad and Seema Masuthi, Mohan Limbikai, MLC, Zilla Panchayat President Savitri Bhagavati, Hubli-Dharwad Mayor Veeranna Savadi and others were present.