Address judges appt issue at the earliest: par panel

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel today submitted its report on the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 in both Houses of Parliament.

Though the bill it scrutinised does not refer to appointment of judges, "the Committee unequivocally feels that the present Bill deals only partially with the problem and the main systematic lacunae remain unaddressed".

Committee Chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said while he was neither speaking in favour or against National Judicial Commission - one of the alternatives being suggested to replace Collegium system - the issue of judges` appointment needs to be addressed comprehensively, though separately, "at the earliest".

"The Committee is of the view that the government has to move beyond an incremental approach and give urgent and due thought to a holistic legislation encompassing the appointment process... to ensure judicial accountability for improved administration of justice," the report said.

The government had informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that it has not yet finalised any proposal to replace the Collegium system in which judges appoint judges.

The Bill, table in Lok Sabha last year, seeks to make judges accountable and create a set of standards for members of the higher judiciary. .