Groundbreaking: New Vice-Chairpersons Panel To Have 50% Women MPs

In a momentous step, the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Thursday, announced that the reconstitution of the panel of vice chairpersons will now include 50% women Parliamentarians.

The Vice President made the significant announcement during the inaugural day of the Monsoon Session in the Upper House. He stated, "I am pleased to inform all house members that, as of July 17, 2023, the panel of vice chairpersons has been reconstituted. It is with great pride that I share the news that 50% of the vice chairpersons will now be women." Furthermore, the VP noted that all four nominated women Parliamentarians are serving as panel members for the first time, adding to the importance of the occasion.

Vice President Dhankhar On Twitter

VP Dhankhar took to Twitter, acknowledging the historic representation of women in the panel of vice chairpersons. The panel, consisting of eight members, now includes four distinguished female members: PT Usha and S. Phangnon Konyak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Fouzia Khan from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Sulata Deo from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). These vice chairpersons hold the responsibility of presiding over the house when the chairman or deputy chairman is absent.

In a historic move, Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar reconstitutes the panel of Vice-Chairpersons with 50% women Parliamentarians.

All four women Parliamentarians nominated are first time members. #RajyaSabha #MonsoonSession pic.twitter.com/dVGjEFmY33

— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) July 20, 2023

Who Are The Four Parliamentarians?

1- PT Usha, BJP

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha is an iconic Indian athlete who earned widespread recognition as the "Payyoli Express." The legendary sprinter and one of India's most celebrated sportspersons was nominated by BJP to Rajya Sabha earlier this month. 

PT Usha's career achievements also include numerous medals and accolades, with her standout moment coming at the 1982 Asian Games, where she won four gold and one silver medal. 

2- S. Phangnon Konyak, BJP

After the late Rano Shaiza, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977, Phangnon is the second Naga woman to serve in Congress. Nagaland had never elected a woman to its state legislature prior to the 2023 elections for the assembly. In the elections this year, two NDPP women candidates were elected to the assembly.

3- Fouzia Khan, Nationalist Congress Party

Fouzia Khan has twice served on the Maharashtra Legislative Council. After being married, she relocated to Parbhani from Aurangabad, where she entered politics by running for the position of President of the Parbhani Municipal Council.

4- Sulata Deo, Bija Janta Dal

Sulata Deo is an Indian politician from the state of Odisha and a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper chamber of the Indian Parliament. She formerly served as a consultant for the government of Odisha's "Mission Shakti" initiative. She also serves as BJD's spokesman.

Other Members In The New Panel

The newly constituted panel of vice chairpersons also includes Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, the BJP's Ghanshyam Tiwari, Trinamool Congress MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, and L. Hanumanthaiah from the Indian National Congress.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 20 and is scheduled to run until August 11, comprising a total of 17 sittings.

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