September 20, 2024
2 mins read

Shashi Tharoor to head parl panel on external affairs

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh will lead the committee on education, adding his experience to the oversight of key policies on education, women, children, youth, and sports….reports Asian Lite News

Senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Digvijaya Singh have been appointed to head key parliamentary standing committees, marking important roles for the party in the scrutiny of government policies and legislation. According to party sources, Tharoor will chair the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs, a position he previously held from 2014 to 2019. His return to the role is particularly significant, as it comes after a five-year gap during which the Congress party had less influence in such critical committees.

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh will lead the committee on education, adding his experience to the oversight of key policies on education, women, children, youth, and sports. These appointments come amid broader efforts by Congress to push for more inclusive governance, with a focus on social justice, as emphasized by Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

In addition to Tharoor and Singh, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been chosen to head the parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, animal husbandry, and food processing. Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka will chair the committee on rural development and Panchayati Raj. Both Channi, a Dalit leader, and Ulaka, representing a tribal community, were selected with social justice at the heart of the party’s decision-making, reflecting Congress’ commitment to empowering historically marginalized communities.

The Congress party has forwarded these names to lead four of the department-related parliamentary standing committees it has been assigned in the current Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions. While formal notifications are expected soon, these appointments were finalized after extensive negotiations between the government and opposition over control of key panels like external affairs, defense, finance, and home affairs.

Notably, Congress will regain the chairmanship of the external affairs committee after a hiatus, reinforcing its oversight role in India’s foreign policy. Additionally, K C Venugopal will continue as chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, another influential body that reviews government expenditure. These appointments highlight the ongoing bargaining between the government and opposition over the composition of critical parliamentary committees.

ALSO READ: US court summons Doval, ex-RAW chief, others in Pannun’s suit

Previous Story

‘Expect India and see it as leader within Quad’

Next Story

German envoy holds talks with Rahul Gandhi

Latest from -Top News

Bangladesh Rejects Dar’s 1971 Claim

During his two-day Dhaka visit, the first in 13 years, Dar made the claims after meeting interim Foreign Affairs Advisor Hossain…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has rejected Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and

London Puts Beijing on Hold

The proposed embassy, earmarked for the site of a historic two-century-old building near the Tower of London, has been bogged down in dispute for more than three years…reports Asian Lite News The

Fiji PM Rabuka Begins First India Visit

The visit comes just weeks after India and Fiji held the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Suva, Fiji, in July 2025….reports Asian Lite News Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada

Modi all set for Japan, China visits

By travelling to both Tokyo and Tianjin within the span of a week, Modi is set to balance strategic partnerships with Japan and cautious engagement with China – two relationships that will
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Japan Confers Civilian Honour to Ex-Chief of Indian Navy

In a ceremony, Admiral Karambir Singh (Retd), the 24th Chief

India’s assistance to Lanka to go down in history

Besides the humanitarian and monetary assistance, India also extended USD