Speaker is the Presiding Officer or Chairman of the Lok Sabha. Article 93-97 dealt with the provisions of Presiding officers of Lok sabha. The Lok Sabha speaker is elected by a simple majority of all MPs. Any member of Parliament is able to be nominated as a speaker, however the candidate of the ruling party or the party with the majority usually secures this position. The Speaker is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the Lok Sabha and also the principal spokesperson of the House. This article explains about the Speaker Of Lok Sabha which is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

Speaker Of Lok Sabha - Historical Background

• The institutions of Speaker originated in India in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms) and at that time, the Speaker was called the President.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 changed the nomenclatures of the President of the Central Legislative Assembly to the Speaker. However, the old nomenclature continued till 1947 as the federal part of the 1935 Act was not implemented.
• G.V. Mavalankar had the distinction of being the first Speaker.

Election and Tenure of Speaker

• Article 93 of the Indian Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
• The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members and whenever the office falls vacant, the Lok Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy.
• The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President.
• Qualifications: No formal criteria for becoming Speaker are mandated.
• The only requirement under the Constitution is that the Speaker be a member of the House.
• However, comprehending the country's Constitution and legislation, as well as the norms of procedure and traditions of Parliament, is seen as a significant advantage for the Speaker.
• The Speaker holds office from the date of his or her election until the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following the dissolution of the one to which he or she was elected.
• Although the Speaker ceases to be a member of the House when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.

Role of Speaker

• The Speaker is the head of the Lok Sabha, and its representative and is the guardian of powers and privileges of the members, the House as a whole, and its committees.
• He/she is the principal spokesman of the House, and his/her decision in all Parliamentary matters is final.
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha derives the powers and duties from three sources, that is, the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and Parliamentary Conventions (residuary powers that are unwritten or unspecified in the Rules).

Powers and Duties of Speaker

• He/she maintains order and decorum in the House for conducting its business and regulating its proceedings, which is the primary responsibility and has final power in this regard.
• He/she is the final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and the parliamentary precedents, within the House.
• He/she adjourns the House or suspends the meeting in absence of a quorum. The quorum to constitute a meeting of the House is one-tenth of the total strength of the House.
• He/she does not vote in the first instance but can exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie.
• The Speaker is eligible for re-election.
• Joint Sitting: He/she presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and can allow a secret sitting of the House at the request of the Leader of the House.
• Money bill: He/she decides whether a bill is a money bill or not and his decision on this question is final. When a money bill is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for recommendation and presented to the President for assent, the Speaker endorses on the bill his certificate that it is a money bill.
• Tenth Schedule: He/she decides the questions of disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
• He/she acts as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world.
• He/she appoints the chairman of all the parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and supervises their functioning and also is the chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee, and the General Purpose Committee.

Resignation and Removal of Speaker

• Usually, the Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha. However, he has to 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 Deputy 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 and when such a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, he cannot preside at the sitting of the House, though he may be present.
• However, he can speak and take part in the proceedings of the House at such a time and vote in the first instance, though not in the case of an equality of votes.
• Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets.

Independence and Impartiality of Speaker

• Speaker is provided with security of tenure and can be removed only by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha by a special majority.
• The salaries and allowances of the Speaker are fixed by Parliament and are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and thus are not subject to the annual vote of Parliament.
• The Speaker's work and conduct cannot be discussed and criticized in the Lok Sabha except on a substantive motion.
• The Speaker’s powers of regulating procedure or conducting business or maintaining order in the House are not subject to the jurisdiction of any Court.
• Casting Vote makes the position of Speaker impartial.
• He/she is given a very high position in the order of precedence (placed at seventh rank, along with the Chief Justice of India).

Panel of Chairpersons of Lok Sabha

• According to Lok Sabha Rules, the Speaker appoints a panel of not more than 10 chairpersons from among the members.
• In the absence of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, any of them can preside over the House.
• When presiding, he has the same powers as the Speaker. He will serve until a new panel of chairpersons is appointed.
• When a member of the panel of chairpersons is also absent, any other person designated by the House serves as Speaker.
• It should be noted that while the office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is vacant, a member of the panel of chairpersons cannot preside over the House.
• During this period, the Speaker's duties will be undertaken by any member of the House appointed by the President.
• To fill the vacated positions, elections are held as quickly as possible.

Pro tem Speaker

• As provided by the Constitution, the Speaker of the last Lok Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly-elected Lok Sabha.
• As a result, the President designates a Lok Sabha member as Speaker Pro Tem. Typically, the most senior member is chosen for this.
• The Speaker Pro Tem is sworn in by the President personally. The Speaker Pro Tem possesses all of the Speaker's powers.
• He presided over the inaugural session of the newly elected Lok Sabha.
• His primary responsibility is to deliver the oath to new members. He also allows the House to choose a new Speaker.
• When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker Pro Tem is abolished.
• As a result, this is a transient post that only exists for a few days.

Conclusion

The Speaker represents the House. He/she represents the dignity of the House, the freedom of the House and because the House represents the nation. Thus, in a particular way, the Speaker becomes a symbol of the nation's freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right that it should be an honoured position, a free position and should always be occupied by men of outstanding ability and impartiality.

FAQs

Q1: What is the role of the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

Q2: How is the Speaker elected?

Q3: Can the Speaker be removed from office?

Q4: What are the qualifications required to be the Speaker?

Q5: What powers does the Speaker hold?

MCQs

1. Who elects the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

a) The President

b) The members of the Lok Sabha

c) The Rajya Sabha

d) The Prime Minister

2. Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

a) Maintaining order in the House

b) Casting vote in case of a tie

c) Formulating laws

d) Deciding who may speak

3. What majority is required to remove the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

a) Simple majority

b) Absolute majority

c) Two-thirds majority

d) No-confidence motion is not applicable

4. Which article of the Constitution deals with the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

a) Article 93

b) Article 100

c) Article 75

d) Article 80

5. What is one of the Speaker's powers regarding points of order?

a) Can dismiss all points of order

b) Can decide on points of order

c) Can overrule the President

d) Can summon a session of the Lok Sabha

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Speaker of Lok Sabha in the Indian parliamentary system.

Answer: The Speaker of Lok Sabha plays a pivotal role in the Indian parliamentary system as the presiding officer of the lower house. Their primary responsibility is to ensure smooth conduct of proceedings, uphold the dignity of the House, and maintain decorum. By making impartial decisions on procedural matters and points of order, the Speaker upholds the principles of democracy. Furthermore, they represent the Lok Sabha to the President and in all external matters. The Speaker's ability to manage debates and control discussions greatly influences legislative efficiency and the overall functionality of the Parliament.

Q2: Analyze the powers and responsibilities of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Answer: The Speaker of Lok Sabha wields significant powers and responsibilities that are crucial for the effective functioning of Parliament. Their primary functions include maintaining order during debates, regulating discussions, and deciding on the admissibility of motions. The Speaker also plays a vital role in representing the House to the President and the public. Additionally, they have the authority to cast a vote in case of a tie and can initiate disciplinary action against errant members. By exercising these powers, the Speaker ensures that parliamentary proceedings align with democratic principles and uphold legislative integrity.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by the Speaker of Lok Sabha in maintaining parliamentary decorum.

Answer: The Speaker of Lok Sabha faces several challenges in maintaining parliamentary decorum, especially in a diverse and multi-party system. One major challenge is managing heated debates where political tensions can escalate, leading to disruptions. Additionally, the Speaker must navigate party politics and potential bias, ensuring impartiality in decisions. The increasing use of disruptive tactics by opposition parties poses another challenge, often hindering legislative business. Furthermore, the Speaker must balance the need for free speech with maintaining order, which can be difficult in a dynamic political environment. Addressing these challenges requires strong leadership and the ability to foster a collaborative atmosphere.

Previous Year Questions on  Speaker of Lok Sabha

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "What is the role of the Speaker of Lok Sabha in the legislative process?"

Answer: The Speaker of Lok Sabha plays a crucial role in the legislative process by facilitating discussions, managing debates, and ensuring that the House functions effectively. As the presiding officer, the Speaker oversees the proceedings, ensures adherence to parliamentary rules, and gives members the opportunity to speak. The Speaker also decides on the admissibility of motions and bills, impacting their legislative journey. Additionally, the Speaker’s ability to cast a vote in case of a tie can influence the outcome of critical legislation. By maintaining order and decorum, the Speaker contributes significantly to the legislative framework of the country.

2. UPSC CSE 2021

Question: "Examine the constitutional provisions related to the Speaker of Lok Sabha." 

Answer: The constitutional provisions regarding the Speaker of Lok Sabha are primarily outlined in Article 93 to Article 100 of the Indian Constitution. Article 93 mandates the election of a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among the members of Lok Sabha. Article 94 states the conditions under which the Speaker may vacate office, while Article 95 outlines the powers and functions of the Speaker. Additionally, Article 100 pertains to the voting process in the House, granting the Speaker the authority to cast a vote only in case of a tie. These provisions ensure the Speaker’s role as a neutral facilitator of parliamentary proceedings and a guardian of the House's dignity.