Cong set to lose chairmanship of RS panel on home

Jairam Ramesh leads the panel on science and technology, environment and forests

- Swati Mathur & Akhilesh Singh

New Delhi: With the government unwilling to accommodate Congress' request to let it retain the helmsmanship of the department-related standing committee (DRSC) on home affairs in Rajya Sabha, the party is likely to accept the next best available offer to lead the DRSC on commerce in the Upper House.

With this, the grand old party will now lead two of the eight DRSCs in the RS. Congress' Jairam Ramesh already leads the DRSC on science and technology, environment and forests. The House panel on commerce will be added to this kitty and Congress will have to nominate its MP to lead it. At present, the House panel on commerce is headed by YSRCP MPV Vijayasai Reddy.