Ex-CJI Gogoi, Scindia among new Rajya Sabha MPs named to House panels

NEW DELHI: Newly-elected Rajya Sabha MPs were allocated parliamentary standing committee berths on Thursday with Jyotiraditya Scindia being appointed to the committee on HRD, Digvijay Singh to urban development, Sharad Pawar to defence, Mallikarjun Kharge to commerce, former deputy chairman Harivansh to agriculture and former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to the committee on external affairs.
While some members, including H D Deve Gowda, Tiruchi Siva and Dinesh Trivedi, have not taken oath yet, they were appointed to the committees of railways, transport, tourism and culture, and home affairs, respectively.
Vinay Sahasrabuddhe was appointed chairman of the committee on HRD. The announcements came a day after Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu administered oath to 45 of the 61 newly-elected members. The 16 members who have not been administered the oath will be able to participate after their affirmation.
Ramdas Athawale, who is a minister, has not been nominated to any committee. The chairman also appointed Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi to the standing committee on commerce, Congress MPs Rajeev Satav on defence and Deepender Hooda on personnel, public grievances, law and justice.