The Rajya Sabha (RS) has unveiled a significant restructuring of its standing committees, forming 24 key panels and assigning crucial roles to prominent political figures across party lines. This move underscores the importance of bipartisan cooperation in the legislative process and highlights the diverse expertise being brought to various critical areas of governance.
RS appoints new Standing Committee – Rahul Gandhi gets defence
In a notable appointment, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader, has been named to the Defence Affairs Committee.
This committee, which plays a vital role in overseeing national security matters, will be chaired by BJP Member of Parliament Radha Mohan Singh.
Kangana Ranaut makes her debut
The Communications and Information Technology Committee will see BJP MP Nishikant Dubey at its helm. Interestingly, actress-turned-politician and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has been appointed as a member of this committee, marking her debut in parliamentary affairs.
Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh will lead the Parliamentary Committee on Women, Education, Youth, and Sports Affairs, while Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav will take charge of the Health Affairs Committee.
Shashi Tharoor to chair Foreign Affairs Committee
In a move that combines diplomatic experience with popular culture, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will chair the Foreign Affairs Committee. Working alongside him will be BJP MP Arun Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the television series “Ramayan.”
Other significant appointments include BJP leader Radha Mohan Das Agarwal heading the Home Affairs Committee and BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab chairing the Finance Committee. The Railways Committee will be led by BJP’s CM Ramesh, while ex-minister Anurag Thakur will oversee the panel on Coal, Mines and Steel.
Here’s what BJP allies get:
The restructuring also sees major BJP allies and opposition parties taking on leadership roles. Sunil Tatkare of the NCP will lead the Petroleum and Natural Gas committee, while Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Appa Barne will head the Energy committee. JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha and TDP’s Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy will chair the Transport, Tourism, and Culture Committee and the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, respectively.
Here’s what Congress leaders get:
Congress leaders have been appointed to lead committees on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing (Charanjit Singh Channi) and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (Saptagiri Ulaka). DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva and K Kanimozhi will oversee the Industry and Consumer Affairs committees.
What is a Standing Committee?
These standing committees play a crucial role in the parliamentary process. They are responsible for scrutinizing budgetary allocations, reviewing bills, and advising the government on key issues. As the Lok Sabha Secretariat explains, “They offer recommendations for formulating policies and introducing new bills to address important national matters.”
This restructuring reflects the government’s effort to involve diverse political voices in the legislative process, potentially fostering more comprehensive and balanced policy-making. It also provides an opportunity for newer political figures to gain experience in parliamentary affairs, ensuring a mix of seasoned politicians and fresh perspectives in these crucial committees.
