Font size:
Print
Deputy Speaker
Context:
Six-time MLA Mohan Singh Bisht is set to be elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly.
About Deputy Speaker
- The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) is an important parliamentary officer in India who assists the Speaker in conducting the proceedings of the House.
Constitutional Provision
- Article 93: The position of the Deputy Speaker is mentioned in Article 93 of the Indian Constitution.
- It states that the Lok Sabha shall choose two members to be the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker as soon as possible after the House is constituted.
- Article 178: The position of Deputy Speaker in State Legislative Assemblies is mentioned in Article 178 of the Indian Constitution.
Election of the Deputy Speaker
- The Deputy Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
- The election is conducted by a simple majority vote.
- The Deputy Speaker is usually elected during the first session of the Lok Sabha after a general election.
- Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker also does not have to resign from their political party upon election.
Term of Office
The Deputy Speaker holds office until:
- The next Lok Sabha is constituted.
- They resign from the position.
- They cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
- They are removed by a resolution passed by a majority of the House.
Removal of the Deputy Speaker:
- The Deputy Speaker can be removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of the members of the Lok Sabha.
- The resolution must be moved after giving 14 days’ notice.
Functions and Powers of the Deputy Speaker
- Presiding Over the House: The Deputy Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker.
- They maintain order, conduct proceedings, and ensure that the rules of the House are followed.
- Casting Vote: Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker has a casting vote in case of a tie on any matter being voted upon in the House.
- Representing the Speaker: The Deputy Speaker represents the Speaker in their absence and performs all the duties and functions of the Speaker.
- Chairing Committees: The Deputy Speaker may chair certain parliamentary committees or act as a member of them.
- Neutrality: Although the Deputy Speaker is not required to resign from their political party, they are expected to maintain impartiality while presiding over the House.
- Although not a constitutional requirement, there has been a long-standing convention in India that the Deputy Speaker is elected from the opposition party.
Challenges and Issues
- Delay in Election: In both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, the election of the Deputy Speaker is often delayed due to political reasons.
- For example, the Lok Sabha did not have a Deputy Speaker for several years after the 2019 elections.
- Political Neutrality: Maintaining impartiality can be challenging, especially when the Deputy Speaker belongs to a political party.
- Opposition Representation: Conventionally, the Deputy Speaker’s position is offered to the opposition, but this practice is not always followed, leading to political disputes.
The Deputy Speaker is a key figure in the functioning of the Lok Sabha, ensuring the continuity of parliamentary proceedings and upholding the principles of democracy.
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more Valuable Content – TheStudyias
Download the App to Subscribe to our Courses – Thestudyias
The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
