DEPUTY SPEAKER OF LOK SABHA

DEPUTY SPEAKER OF LOK SABHA

The Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha is considered as the second in command in the Lower house. This post is considered very prestigious and holds a crucial position in the Parliamentary system of India. This article by RACE IAS discusses about the various aspects of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, his functions, powers, significance, the procedure for election as well as removal.

The post of Deputy Speaker has been in news recently as the newly elected 18th Lok Sabha is yet to announce the name of its Deputy speaker. Since this constitutional post had gone vacant in the 17h Lok Sabha. the event has been followed by rising demands of a Deputy Speaker from both the opposition party as well as the ruling party.

Relevance – GS Paper II (Indian Polity)

Origin of the post of Deputy Speaker

• Such posts had been coined at first in the British era.
• Originated in India in 1921 under Government of India Act of 1919 which is widely known as (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)
• The initial name of the post of Deputy Speaker was 'Deputy President'.
• This name was further replaced with the name of Deputy Speaker under the Government of India 1935.
• The first Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha of the independent India was Ananthasayanam Ayyangar in the tenure of 1952-56 (belonged to Congress Party – the ruling party of that time).

Today, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha mainly assumes the role of the Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha  and is give the responsibility to maintain order and code of conduct in the running house. He is tasked with ensuring the smooth ongoing of the legislative procedure.

The Election procedure of Lok Sabha

• Nature of the election – The Indian Constitution uses the word "shall" in both the articles 93 and 178 which makes it mandatory for the Lok Sabha to conduct the election for the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• No time frame is mentioned by the constitution of Indi after the same
• The Lok Sabha itself from amongst its members elect the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• The election of Deputy Speaker is done only after the successful election of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• The newly elected Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides the date of election of The Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.

NOTE : In general, the Speaker is chosen from the ruling party or ruling alliance whereas the of Deputy Speaker is chosen from the opposition party.

Though several exceptions have been there in the list.

Oath and Affirmation of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

• No separate oath or affirmation is subscribed or made by the newly elected Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• The existing oath and affirmation as a member of Parliament signifies his allegiance towards his role as a Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Term of office / Tenure of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

• Once elected, the Deputy Speaker generally continues to serve in the office for the entire duration of the Lok Sabha.
• The following three cases are the conditions in which the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha must vacate his/her office –

• If he/she is no more a member of the Lok Sabha.
• If he/she resigns to the Speaker of Lok Sabha by writing.
• If he/she is removed by a resolution passed by an Effective majority of Lok Sabha.

The Office is the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha if falls vacant in any of the above condition, is filled by electing another member of Lok Sabha.

  Procedure for the removal of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

• Passing a resolution : The removal of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is done by a resolution passed by an effective majority of the Lok Sabha.
• Advance notice period : Further a motion is moved for his/her removal after giving 14 days of advance notice to the Deputy Speaker.
• Consideration – While the removal resolution is still under consideration, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha cannot preside at the sitting of the house even if he is present.

Functions of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

• Article 95(1) : According to this article, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha when the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha is vacant.
• The Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha acts as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in the absence of the actual Speaker.
• The Deputy Speaker is tasked with presiding over joint sittings of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) in cases of absence of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Powers and Privileges

• The Deputy Speaker assumes all the powers of the Speaker while presiding over sittings in case of the Speaker's absence.
• The Deputy Speaker can participate in parliamentary proceeding, vote in the first instance on any question like an ordinary member only in the presence of the Speaker. In case of the Speaker's absence , he can only exercise a Casting vote in case of a tie.
• Special privilege – Whenever the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is appointed as a member of any parliamentary committee, he/she automatically becomes its chairman.

Importance of the post of Deputy Speaker

• Inclusive representation : Generally, the office of Deputy speaker goes to the opposition party ensuring equal representation to the opposition and promotion of balance of power with the system.
• Administrative assistance : The Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha share the responsibility of administration with the Speaker resulting in the effective management of parliament.

Salary and Allowances

• The regular salary and allowances of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is fixed by the parliament itself.
• The salary and allowances are charged on the CFI (Consolidated Fund of India) and not subjected to the annual vote of Parliament.

Here's a list of Deputy Speakers and their status in Lok Sabha since the first Lok Sabha –

Thus we come to know that the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is indeed a significant post in the Parliament of India. This post exhibits the efficient conduction of affairs of the Lower house and upholds the integrity of the legislature of Indian Democracy.