New Delhi: Amid stiff resistance with Congress a bill had been amended in Lok Sabha regarding the appointment of chief of Central Bureau of investigation today.
Congress alleged that it was aimed at keeping the largest Opposition party out of the selection process, a charge denied by the government.
Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, while moving the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014, for consideration, insisted that there was “no ulterior motive” and the amendment was aimed only to “smoothen” the process of selecting the CBI Director.
The amendment bill also provides that “No appointment of a Director shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the committee.”
By voice vote, the bill had been passed but not before a division of votes on its consideration as well as an amendment moved by BJD member Tathagat Satpathy, which was rejected.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Congress, had made a strong plea to withdraw the measure and bring forward a comprehensive amendment.
He was supported by BJD members Tathagat Satpathy and Bhartruhari Mahtab.
He blamed that the amendments have been brought by the government deliberately in order to “humiliate” the opposition.
Kharge said, “The bill has been brought exclusively to keep out the single largest opposition party.”
He also said that the Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India are the only other two members, it is believed that the vacancy will arise only of the opposition leader and they can go ahead with the appointment.
He said, “If that is the intention, that is not good. Purposely it has been done…We are ready to be beheaded, but we will not bend (Sar kat jayega, per zukanewale nahi). Our opposition is valid. It poses a big danger. It is a double edged sword.”
Meanwhile Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had countered the remark of Kharge.
Naidu said, “It is the job of the people whether or not to strengthen the opposition. We have brought forward the amendments taking into consideration the spirit of democracy.”
Bureau Report
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