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 1st 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 (1/10th 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 10th 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.
