Civics /Polity (Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Rajya Sabha)

Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Speaker & Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

* Elected by members of LS among themselves & do remain in office as long as they are members of the house

* Speaker continues in his office even after LS is dissolved, till newly elected LS is constituted.

* In normal situations, Speaker does not vote in 1st instance, but exercises his casting vote in case of tie i.e. in case of equality of votes → to maintain impartiality of his office

* He is representative & spokesperson of the house in its collective capacity & chief custodian of its powers & privileges

Removal of Speaker 

* Speaker & deputy speaker may resign by writing to each other

* Can be removed by a resolution passed by effective majority after giving a 14 days prior notice

* When such a notice is in consideration against the speaker, He can not preside over the proceedings of the house. He can, however, participate in proceedings of the house & can even vote in 1st instance, though not when there is an equality of votes

Impartiality & Independence of office of speaker

* His salary & allowances are fixed by parliament by law & charged from consolidated fund of India & are not subjected to annual vote of parliament

* His work & conduct can not be discussed & criticized in LS except while substantive motion

* Can not be removed from the office except a resolution passed by effective majority

Powers of Speaker

* Possesses certain powers that do not belong to chairman of RS

* Presides over joint sitting of 2 houses of the parliament

* When a money bill is transferred from LS to RS, power to certify it as money bill is given to speaker & his decision whether a bill is money bill or not is final

* His permission is compulsory on question of bringing adjournment motion

 - Passed only in Lok Sabha

 - Adjournment of business of the house for purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance)

* Appointment of primary committees & himself as ex – officio chairman of certain committees of the parliament

* Speakers conduct in regulating the procedure of maintaining order in house is not subjected to jurisdiction of court

* Under anti deflection act, authority of speaker if final, though open to judicial review

Chairman / Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha

* VP / Chairman of RS presides over the proceedings of RS as long as he does not act as President of India

* In absence of chairman, Deputy Chairman presides over the proceedings of RS

 - Deputy Chairman is elected by members of RS among themselves

 - Deputy Chairman’s salary is equivalent to speaker of Lok sabha

* Presiding officer of each house has the final power to interpret the rules of procedure of the house

* Both chairman & deputy chairman cannot preside over a sitting of the house, when resolution of their removal is under consideration.

* However they can be present, can speak for themselves & take part in proceedings of the house but without right to vote

Removal of Deputy Chairman

* If he resigns, or

* Ceases to be member of RS, or

* Can be removed by passing a resolution by majority, but such a resolution can only be moved after giving 14 days advance notice to him