Question

 

With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:

 

1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.

 

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Which of the statements given above are correct?

 

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 2 and 4 only

 

Answer

 

The correct answer is A. 1 and 3 only

 

The election of the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha is regulated by Rule 8 of The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. According to this rule, the election is scheduled for a date determined by the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker is elected once a motion proposing their name is passed.

 

Historically, until the 10th Lok Sabha, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were typically from the ruling party. However, since the 11th Lok Sabha, there has been a consensus that the Speaker comes from the ruling party or ruling alliance, while the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to the main opposition party.

 

As per Article 95(1), in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker assumes the duties of the office and possesses the same powers as the Speaker when presiding over a session of the House. Any reference to the Speaker in the Rules is deemed to apply to the Deputy Speaker when they are presiding. Moreover, no appeal can be made to the Speaker against a ruling issued by the Deputy Speaker or any other person presiding over a session in the absence of the Speaker.

 

The established parliamentary practice entails that a motion is proposed by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and seconded by members from the treasury benches or the opposition. The motion is then carried by the House in accordance with the usual procedures.