The central government announced the formation of a new Parliamentary Standing Committee yesterday, revealing several key appointments. Notably, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi retains his position on the Defense Committee, while multiple MPs from Odisha join this important body.
In significant leadership roles, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor steps in as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, while Ramgopal Jacob takes charge of the Health Committee. Consequently, the Congress party now oversees four committees, highlighting its continued influence.
Moreover, party leader Vijay Singh will lead the Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports Committees. Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi manages the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing Committee. In addition, Odisha MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka directs the Rural and Panchayat Raj Committee. Interestingly, Sonia Gandhi, a seven-time MP and former Congress president, does not receive any new responsibilities in this reshuffle.
On the other hand, ruling BJP MPs are set to chair several key committees, including Defense, Finance, Housing, and Coal, Mining, and Steel. For the first time, actress and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut joins the Standing Committee, taking responsibility for the Information Technology Committee.
Furthermore, Radha Mohan Das Agarwal leads the House Committee, while Odisha MP Bhartrahari Mahatab heads the Finance Committee. Additionally, former Union Ministers Anurag Thakur and Rajeev Pratap Rudy manage the Committees on Coal, Mines, and Steel and Water Resources, respectively. Finally, Nishikant Dubey assumes the role of Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT.