Centre introduces Bill to include leader of largest opposition party in panel to select CBI chief

New Delhi: Days ahead of the retirement of present Central Bureau of Investigation chief Ranjit Sinha, the government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha to include the leader of the largest opposition party in the panel to select the head of the agency in the absence of a recognised Leader of the Opposition in the House.

Another amendment to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act states that any vacancy or absence in the panel will not render the appointment of the CBI Director invalid.

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh introduced the Bill amid din over the black money issue.

As per the DSPE (Amendment) Bill, 2014, Section 4 (A) of the Act will be amended to include the leader of the single largest opposition party in the selection panel that selects the CBI Director when there is no recognised Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.

"No appointment of a Director shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the committee," the Bill said.

The enactment of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (also known as Lokpal Act) this year has automatically amended the DSPE Act to make changes in the selection panel.

Under the existing provisions, the CBI chief has to be appointed by the central government on the basis of recommendation of the selection committee headed by the Prime Minister, and comprising the LoP and the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by him, as members.

Before the Lokpal Act amended the DSPE Act, a committee headed by Central Vigilance Commissioner used to recommend names for CBI Director.

The amendments in the DSPE Act are being brought in by the government as there is no recognised LoP in the Lok Sabha. The Congress with 44 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha has emerged as the second largest party after BJP's 280 but fell short by 11 to stake claim for the LoP's post for which it requires a minimum strength of 55.

"Keeping in view the legislative practice followed in this regard, it is proposed to provide that no appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the Committee," reads the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has, meanwhile, started the process for appointment of new chief of the investigating agency as CBI Director Ranjit Sinha's tenure is ending on December 2.