The upper house of the Indian Parliament has reconstituted its panel of vice-chairpersons with half of its members being women. This historic decision, announced by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during the monsoon session, received widespread appreciation from women members present.
The new panel of vice-chairpersons includes renowned athlete and Padma Shri awardee P T Usha, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022. Another notable addition is S Phangnon Konyak, who has become the first woman from Nagaland to be nominated to the panel. She holds the distinction of being the second woman from the state to be elected to either House of Parliament or the state assembly.
Joining them are Fauzia Khan, V Vijaysai Reddy, Sulata Deo, Ghanshyam Tiwari, L Hanumanthaiah, and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray. What makes this development even more remarkable is that all four women nominated to the vice-chairperson panel are first-time members.
The move signifies a significant step towards gender representation and empowerment of women in the upper echelons of Indian politics. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity has resulted in this unprecedented milestone for the Rajya Sabha.
The chairman has the authority to select a group of vice-chairpersons from among the council members in accordance with the rules. There may be no more than six vice-chairpersons on this panel, and in the absence of the chairman and deputy chairman, one of them may preside over the council.
The vice-chairpersons nominated will hold office until a new panel is nominated, as per the official sources in the Rajya Sabha. This action is anticipated to inspire more women to join in politics and hold leadership positions.
The historic equal representation given to women members in the panel of vice-chairpersons showcases the commitment of the Rajya Sabha to gender diversity and inclusivity. It sets a powerful example for other parliamentary bodies and institutions to follow, promoting a more equitable and representative political landscape.
As the Rajya Sabha embraces this transformative change, it has also become fully digital, embracing modern technology to enhance its functioning and accessibility. With this significant step towards gender equality and digital transformation, the Rajya Sabha is taking strides towards a more inclusive and progressive future.
