Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

2021 SEP 3

Preliminary   > Polity   >   Parliament   >   Parliamentary Procedures

Why in news?

  • With the Delhi High Court asking the Central government on 2nd Sept to explain its stand on a petition that claimed keeping the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Constitution, the issue is once again in the spotlight. Position had been vacant for the last 830 days.

About Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

  • Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is also elected by the Lok Sabha itself from amongst its members.
  • He/She is elected after the election of the Speaker has taken place.
  • The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker. Whenever the office of the Deputy Speaker falls vacant, the Lok Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
  • Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha.
  • However, he/she may vacate his office earlier in any of the following three cases:
    • If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha
    • If he resigns by writing to the Speaker
    • If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.

History:

  • The institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague– Chelmsford Reforms).
  • Before 1921, the Governor-General of India used to preside over the meetings of the Central Legislative Council.
  • In 1921, Sachidanand Sinha was appointed by the Governor-General of India as the first Deputy Speaker of the central legislative assembly.

Role of Deputy Speaker when Speaker’s office is vacant/absent:

  • The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker’s office when it is vacant. He also acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent from the sitting of the House. In both the cases, he assumes all the powers of the Speaker.
  • He also presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.
  • It should be noted here that the Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.
  • Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, while presiding over the House, cannot vote in the first instance; he can only exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie.
  • Further, when a resolution for the removal of the Deputy Speaker is under consideration of the House, he cannot preside at the sitting of the House, though he may be present.
  • When the Speaker presides over the House, the Deputy Speaker is like any other ordinary member of the House. He can speak in the House, participate in its proceedings and vote on any question before the House.

Salary and allowance:

  • The Deputy Speaker is entitled to a regular salary and allowance fixed by Parliament, and charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

Oath

  • Deputy Speaker, while assuming his/her offices, does not make and subscribe any separate oath or affirmation.

Add ons:

  • Upto the 10th Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were usually from the ruling party. Since the 11th Lok Sabha, there has been a consensus that the Speaker comes from the ruling party (or ruling alliance) and the post of Deputy Speaker goes to the main opposition party.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements:

1.Deputy Speaker, while assuming his/her offices, does not make and subscribe any separate oath or affirmation.

2.Salary and allowance of Deputy Speaker are charged upon the Contingency Fund of India.

3. The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the President of India

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer