Congress to chair four key parliamentary panels in 18th Lok Sabha

In the 18th Lok Sabha, the Congress will chair four of the total 24 department-related parliamentary standing committees, including crucial ones on external affairs and agriculture. Parliament has 24 standing committees, 16 of which are served by the Lok Sabha and eight by the Rajya Sabha.

Of the Lok Sabha’s 16 panels, the Congress will chair the ones on external affairs; agriculture, animal husbandry and food processing; and rural development and panchayati raj. Of the Rajya Sabha’s eight, it will chair the panel on education, women, children, youth and sports, party sources said.

Congress’ INDIA bloc allies Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) could also get to chair a parliamentary panel each.