As the monsoon session of Parliament commenced on Thursday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in a historic move, reconstituted the panel of Vice-Chairpersons with 50% women MPs. All four women Parliamentarians who were nominated are first-time members, reported news agency ANI.
The new Vice-Chairpersons are Rajya Sabha members P T Usha, S Phangnon Konyak, Fauzia Khan, Sulata Deo, V Vijaysai Reddy, Ghanshyam Tiwari, L Hanumanthaiah, and Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 PM after Opposition members created a ruckus in the house while demanding a discussion on the Manipur violence issue under Rule 267 (Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha pertains to suspension of rules). Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the government has no objections to the matter and it was ready for a discussion.
As per Rule 267, "Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being: Provided further that this rule shall not apply where specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of Rules."
Before the adjournment, Dhankhar accepted eight notices by members for a short-duration discussion under the rule at around 12 noon. When he allowed the notices for a short-duration discussion on Manipur, Mallikarjun Kharge who is the Leader of Opposition, raised objections and said that all the business of the House will be suspended and their notices for a discussion on Manipur under Rule 267 should taken up. While addressing the chairman, Kharge said, "How the Leader of the house suddenly gets up and says we are ready for a discussion. We have given notices under Rule 267 for suspending all other business of the House and then taking this up. Let the Prime Minister give a statement and we will discuss."