Harivansh elected as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
The Office of the Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.
The Office of the Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.
The Office of the Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.
• Harivansh Narayan Singh was re-elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a historic third consecutive term on April 17.
• The Office of the Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.
• President Droupadi Murmu nominated journalist-turned-politician Harivansh to the Rajya Sabha.
• The nomination was made under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution.
• Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath to Harivansh at Parliament House on April 10.
• He was elected to the Upper House in 2014 after serving as editor-in-chief of Hindi daily ‘Prabhat Khabar’.
Rajya Sabha reconstitutes panel of Vice-Chairpersons
• Rajya Sabha reconstituted its panel of Vice-Chairpersons, nominating six members drawn from the BJP, Congress, AIADMK, and BJD, with effect from April 15.
• The reconstituted panel comprises Dinesh Sharma, S. Phangnon Konyak, and Ghanshyam Tiwari from the BJP; Phulo Devi Netam from the Congress; M. Thambidurai from the AIADMK; and Sasmit Patra from the BJD.
• An announcement to this effect was made in the House by Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody.
Panel of Vice-Chairpersons in Rajya Sabha
• The presiding officers of Rajya Sabha have the responsibility to conduct the proceedings of the House.
• The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its Members, a Deputy Chairman.
• In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman presides.
• There is a panel of Vice-Chairpersons in Rajya Sabha, who are nominated by the Chairman from amongst the members of Rajya Sabha.
• In the absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, a member from the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons presides over the proceedings of the House.
• While in the chair, they exercise the same powers as the Chairperson in conducting proceedings — maintaining order, regulating debate, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the House during sittings.
• Unlike the Deputy Chairman, who holds a standing constitutional office, members of the vice-chairperson panel do not occupy a permanent position and preside on a rotational basis as required.