SPEAKER

NEWS: The recent no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against Om Birla has reignited the debate over the constitutional position

ABOUT

• Article 93 of the Indian Constitution àprovides for the offices of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• Originà The Government of India Act of 1919 – Introduced the institutions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in India in 1921.
• At that time, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were called the President and Deputy President respectively, same nomenclature continued till 1947.
• The Government of India Act of 1935à It changed the titles of President and Deputy President to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
• After a pro-tem or temporary Speaker administers the oath to new members of the houseàthe Speaker is elected by a simple majority in the House.
• Elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members; date fixed by the President.
• It is coterminous with the term of the Lok Sabha that is 5 years unless he/she resigns or is removed from office before that
• The Speaker can also be removed on getting disqualified from being a Lok Sabha member under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• A speaker can also tender his resignation to a Deputy Speaker.
• There are no specific qualifications for becoming Speaker, but he must be a member of the house.
• The salary of the Speaker is drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India unlike for other MPs.
• As the presiding officer of the Lok Sabhaà act as an impartial arbiter expected to rise above party politics once elected.

core functions of the office of Speaker

The Speaker derives powers from three sources like

• The Constitution of India
• The Rules of procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha
• The Parliamentary Conventions (residuary powers that are unwritten or unspecified in the Rules).

Core functions

• The Speakerà Ensures orderly debate, enforces the rules of procedure, safeguards the rights of members,
• Maintains the balance between government authority and the voice of the Opposition.
• The recognition of members, interpretation of procedural rules, disciplinary powers, and the certification of Money Bills.
• Authority & InfluenceàThese powers significantly shape legislative outcomes and parliamentary debates.
• The constitutional framework provides strong protections to ensure that the Speaker cannot be removed easily for political reasons.