Lok Sabha Speaker

Context:

18th Lok Sabha Speaker elected

Lok Sabha Speaker:

• Constitutional and ceremonial head of the House (Lok Sabha)
• Dealt under – Article 93 of the Constitution
• Historical Background –
  • Originated under – Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).
  • Under the Act, the Speaker was called the President and the same nomenclature continued till 1947.
  • Government of India Act of 1935 changed the nomenclature of President to the Speaker

Election of Office of the Speaker:

• Criteria – Constitution requires the Speaker should be a member of the House.
  • Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker.
• Voting – Elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House.
• Term of Office – Holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the 1^st meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for 5 years).
• Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate his office immediately and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.
• Eligible for re-election.

Role and Powers of Speaker:

• Final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha and the parliamentary precedents, within the House.
• Presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
  • Joint Sitting – Summoned by the President to settle a deadlock between the 2 Houses on a bill.
• Adjourn the House or suspend the meeting in the absence of quorum (1/10^th of the total strength of the House)
• Does not vote in the first instance but in the case of a tie, the Speaker is entitled to vote.
  • Such a vote is called a Casting Vote, and its purpose is to resolve a deadlock.
• Decides whether a bill is a money bill or not and his/her decision on this question is final.
• Decides the questions of disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the 10^th Schedule.
  • However, the decision of the Speaker in this regard is subject to judicial review.
• Acts as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world.
• Committees of the House are constituted by the speaker and function under the speaker’s overall direction.
• Chairmen of all Parliamentary Committees are nominated by him/her.
• Business Advisory Committee, the General Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairmanship.
• Guardian of the rights and privileges of the House, its Committees and members.

Removal of Speaker:

• Conditions –
  • If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
  • If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker
  • If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.
• When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.

Source: The Indian Express

---

Previous Year Question

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration
1. He/She shall not preside
2. He/She shall not have the right to speak
3. He/She shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2024 Prelims]

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a)
Explanation:
While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration, his/her position in the House is like any other member. He/She shall not preside such a session, but have the right to speak and is entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.

---