The Lokpal and Lokayuktas and other related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 which was today taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha, has been referred to the Standing Committee. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu expressed government's willingness to send the Bill to the Standing Committee after Rabindra Kumar Jena (BJD) said there are several loopholes in the bill in its present form,including on the issue of selection of CBI director.

The Bill which was introduced last week in the House by Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh. The Bill seeks to make enabling provision for inclusion of the Leader of the Single Largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha as a member of the Selection Committee for making recommendation to the President for appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Lokpal. The existing Act has the Leader of the Opposition in the panel but there is no Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha at present so the amendment was brought.

The bill also provides that no appointment of a Chairperson or a member or the nomination of the eminent jurist shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the selection committee. The Bill also provides for the establishment of a Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director who will function under the overall supervision and control of the CBI Director .

The bill also proposes to ensure functional independence to the Director of Prosecution.