What is Speaker of Lok Sabha?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Election: Elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members by a simple majority. The date of election is fixed by the President.
- 2.
Term: Holds office during the pleasure of the Lok Sabha, but generally until the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, unless he resigns or is removed.
- 3.
Removal: Can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha, after giving 14 days advance notice.
- 4.
Powers and Functions: Presides over the meetings, maintains order, interprets the Constitution and rules, and adjourns the House in absence of quorum.
- 5.
Casts a casting vote in case of a tie, but does not vote in the first instance.
- 6.
Certifies a bill as a Money Bill (his decision is final and cannot be questioned in any court).
- 7.
Decides on questions of disqualification of members under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law).
- 8.
Appoints the chairpersons of all parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and supervises their functioning.
- 9.
Presides over the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, convened by the President.
- 10.
Acts as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group, which serves as a link between the Indian Parliament and parliaments of other countries.
Visual Insights
Speaker of Lok Sabha: Key Functions
Mind map outlining the key functions and powers of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Speaker of Lok Sabha
- ●Presiding Officer
- ●Maintaining Order
- ●Decision Making
Recent Developments
4 developmentsThe Speaker's role in deciding disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law has often been a subject of controversy and judicial review (e.g., Kihoto Hollohan case).
Debates around the impartiality of the Speaker, especially when belonging to the ruling party, are common.
The Speaker's role in managing disruptions and ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings has become increasingly challenging.
The current Speaker is Om Birla.