Rajya Sabha today passed Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill 2014 with minor changes. The bill was passed by voiced vote in the upper house.

The Lok Sabha had passed it yesterday, but it will vote to it as it has some amendments. As per the new provisions, CBI director will be selected by a panel which will comprise Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single largest party in the House and Chief Justice of India or any Supreme Court Judge.

Earlier, there was no provision of the leader of the single largest party in the panel. The new amendment says, if a member is absent in two consecutive meetings with proper notice, the appointment will not be invalid merely because of this reason. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Bill intends to bring transparency and smooth appointment of the head of the premier institution.

He said that it was a democratic spirit that despite not having a leader of opposition government is considering the post of leader of the largest party in Opposition in the selection panel.