President Patil calls for skill upgradation to combat cyber crime (Amended)

Bangalore, Aug 7 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has called for upgradation of skills to combat new challenges like cyber crime and hacking.

Speaking at the golden jubilee function of Karnataka State Bar Council here, Patil said: "Technology has thrown up issues which were unheard of a few years ago, like cyber crime and hacking. How to deal with these will require new thinking and new knowledge.

:"In this background, the one aspect that stands out is the need for constant upgradation of skills. This could be done through training on issues such as cyber laws, environmental laws, intellectual property rights and the need for gender sensitivity," she said.

"I therefore, call on our lawyers and our judges, to focus on preparing themselves for future challenges. I am informed that the Karnataka State Bar Council has been conducting training camps for advocates, with senior advocates and jurists being the resource persons. I appreciate these efforts and these must continue vigorously," she added.

She also appealed for securing access to justice for all

"Court fees and higher fees of lawyers make legal services unaffordable task for many. These aspects need consideration. Affordable legal services which are delivered in a specified time frame will make legal recourse of practical and functional option," added Patil.

Patil also asked the Karnataka State Bar Council members to support for poor and vulnerable by taking out some time for them.

"I like to encourage the community of lawyers of the Karnataka State Bar Association, to devote some of their time and energy, to secure legal services for people who are vulnerable and poor," she said.

"We should also move forward decisively to establish Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level, as provided for in the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008. This would provide access to justice at their doorsteps, and address many difficulties of our rural population in particular commuting to and from courts," she added.

She further lauded Bangalore's contribution as an information and technology hub in the country.

"We are living in an era of globalisation and information technology. Globalisation has resulted in a greater movement of people, businesses and technology across borders. This means having a deep understanding about these issues. Bangalore being one of the Information Technology hubs, not only of the country will be well aware of the impacts of these flaws," said Patil. (ANI)