Harivansh elected as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman

• 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.