Appoint Loksabha Deputy Speaker: Congress to Om Birla

Appoint Loksabha Deputy Speaker: Congress to Om Birla

Subject: Polity

Context: The post of Deputy Speaker has been lying vacant since the constitution of the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019. Congress leaders argued that the post of Deputy Speaker has not remained vacant for such a long time in the recent past.

Concept:

About Deputy Speaker:

• Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
• The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority.
• There is no need to resign from their original party though as a Deputy Speaker, they have to remain impartial.

Roles and functions:

• They act as the presiding officer in case of leave or absence caused by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Election:

• Usually, the Deputy Speaker is elected in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
• It is by convention that position of Deputy Speaker is offered to opposition party in India.

Tenure and removal:

• They hold office until either they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha or they resign.
• They can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by an effective majority of its members.