The Speaker of the Lok Sabha : Power & functions

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the house. Here are the key roles and powers of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha:

Roles of the Speaker

1. Presiding Officer: The Speaker presides over the sessions of the Lok Sabha, maintaining order and decorum in the house. They ensure that debates and discussions are conducted in a disciplined manner.
2. Representative of the House: The Speaker represents the Lok Sabha in its collective capacity. They are the spokesperson of the house in its relations with the President of India and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house).
3. Administrative Head: The Speaker is the administrative head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. They oversee its functioning and ensure that all administrative duties are performed effectively.
4. Neutral Arbiter: The Speaker is expected to act impartially, ensuring that all members, regardless of party affiliation, are given a fair chance to participate in debates and discussions.

Powers of the Speaker

1. Maintenance of Order: The Speaker has the authority to maintain order and decorum in the house. They can take disciplinary actions against members for unruly behavior, including warnings, suspension, or expulsion from the session.
2. Deciding on Points of Order: The Speaker decides on points of order raised by members, which are issues regarding the interpretation or enforcement of parliamentary rules. Their decision on such matters is final.
3. Regulating Debate: The Speaker regulates the debate by allowing members to speak, setting the time limits for speeches, and ensuring that discussions remain relevant to the agenda.
4. Casting Vote: In the event of a tie during a vote, the Speaker exercises a casting vote to break the deadlock. This is the only occasion when the Speaker votes.
5. Certification of Money Bills: The Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill or not. This decision is crucial because it determines the legislative process that the bill will follow, including its passage through the Rajya Sabha.
6. Committee Oversight: The Speaker appoints the heads of various parliamentary committees and can refer bills and other matters to these committees for detailed examination.
7. Accepting Resignations: The Speaker is responsible for accepting the resignations of Lok Sabha members. They ensure that the resignation is voluntary and genuine before accepting it.
8. Adjudication of Disqualification: Under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which deals with the anti-defection law, the Speaker has the authority to decide on disqualification of members of the Lok Sabha on grounds of defection.
9. Summoning and Adjourning the House: The Speaker has the power to summon or adjourn the sessions of the Lok Sabha, as well as to suspend the house in case of grave disorder.
10. Internal Security: The Speaker ensures the internal security of the Lok Sabha premises and can take necessary steps to protect the dignity, rights, and privileges of the house and its members.

Other key points:

• The Speaker has a casting vote (Article 100) in case of a tie (does not vote initially).
• The Speaker has a casting vote (Article 100) in case of a tie (does not vote initially).

Leader of the House

• In the Lok Sabha, the ‘Leader of the House’ is the Prime Ministeror a minister nominated by the PM.
• In the Rajya Sabha, the ‘Leader of the House’ is a ministerand member of it nominated by the PM.
• The office of the Leader of the House is not mentioned in the Constitutionbut is defined in the Rules of Procedure for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Rule of Procedure

• Article 118:Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

Pro Tem Speaker: The term “Pro Tem” is derived from the Latin phrase “pro tempore,” meaning “for the time being.” The Pro Tem Speaker is a temporary speaker appointed to preside over the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha after general elections and before the election of the regular Speaker.

Appointment: The President of India appoints the Pro Tem Speaker. Typically, the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha, in terms of experience, is chosen for this role, ensuring the individual is well-versed in parliamentary procedures.

Roles and Functions:

1. Administering Oath: The primary responsibility of the Pro Tem Speaker is to administer the oath of office to the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. This is a crucial function as it validates the members’ ability to participate in parliamentary proceedings.
2. Election of the Speaker: The Pro Tem Speaker oversees the election of the new Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Once the Speaker is elected, the role of the Pro Tem Speaker concludes.
3. Conducting Initial Business: The Pro Tem Speaker may also preside over the house to conduct any other urgent business required before the regular Speaker is elected.
4. Maintaining Order: Although the tenure is very short, the Pro Tem Speaker is responsible for maintaining order and decorum in the house during the initial meetings.

Importance of the Pro Tem Speaker:

1. Ensuring Continuity: The Pro Tem Speaker plays a vital role in ensuring the continuity of parliamentary proceedings following general elections, bridging the gap between the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha and the formation of the new one.
2. Legitimizing New Members: By administering the oath to new members, the Pro Tem Speaker legitimizes their membership, allowing them to take part in legislative business.
3. Facilitating Smooth Transition: The Pro Tem Speaker facilitates a smooth transition of authority within the Lok Sabha, ensuring that the election of the regular Speaker is conducted in an orderly and constitutional manner.
4. Symbolic Role: The appointment of a senior and experienced member as the Pro Tem Speaker is symbolic of the respect for parliamentary traditions and experience within the house.