Lok Sabha Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem

Lok Sabha speaker is the presiding officer or head of Lok Sabha. He is the guardian of powers and privileges of members and committees of Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha speaker is chosen by the members from among themselves, after the first meeting of the Lok Sabha. When the office of Lok Sabha speaker falls vacant, the members elect another speaker on a date fixed by the President.

Term of Office

A Lok Sabha speaker remains in office during the life of Lok Sabha generally. However, to remain in office, he needs to remain member of Lok Sabha. Whenever Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker continues to remain in office until immediately before the first meeting of Lok Sabha after it is reconstituted.

Resignation and Removal

The speaker automatically ceases to be so if he is disqualified to be a member of Lok Sabha due to reasons whatsoever. He can vacate his office by addressing a resignation letter to Deputy Speaker. He can also be removed by the members of Lok Sabha by a resolution passed by absolute majority {majority of the total members of the House} of Lok Sabha. However, a 14 days advanced notice must be given for such resolution. The motion of removal can be considered and discussed only when it has the support of at least 50 members. These provisions make removal of speaker difficult and provide him security of tenure.

When such resolution is under consideration of the house, Speaker cannot preside the meeting of the house, however, he is eligible to participate and vote except the casting vote in case if equality of votes.

Powers and Functions

Lok Sabha speaker is the representative and principal spokesman of Lok Sabha and his decisions in matters of Lok Sabha are final. His powers and functions are derived from Constitution, Rules of procedure (Lok Sabha) and Parliamentary conventions.

• Primary duty of the speaker is to maintain order and decorum in Lok Sabha.
• His interpretations of constitutional provisions, rules and regulations related to Lok Sabha are final.
• The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Lok Sabha is one-tenth of the membership of the house. If there is no quorum, speaker decides to suspend the meeting.
• Adjournment of Lok Sabha is done by Speaker.
• During voting in the house on a bill or other matters, he first does vote. However, if there is a tie due to equal votes, speaker exercises the casting vote. Objective of casting vote is to resolve a deadlock.
• Joint sittings of both the houses of parliament are although called by President but presided by Lok Sabha speaker.
• On the request of the Leader of the House, Speaker may allow a secret meeting. None other than those permitted by speaker can be present in secret meeting.
• Whether a bill is money bill or not, is decided by Speaker and his decision in this matter is final. When a money bill is passed in Lok Sabha and sent to Rajya Sabha, Speaker’s endorsement is needed on that.
• Speaker decides the question of disqualification of Lok Sabha members in matters of tenth schedule / anti-defection law. This decision is subject to judicial review.
• He works as ex-officio chairman of Indian Parliamentary Group of the Inter-parliamentary Union.
• Chairmen of all the parliamentary committees of Lok Sabha are appointed by Speaker, provided such committees don’t need elected chairmen. Speaker himself is the chairman of Business Advisory Committee, Rules Committee and General Purpose Committee.
• The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha is appointed by the Speaker.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

When Speaker of Lok Sabha is not available, his duties are carried out by Deputy Speaker.  A Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha members from amongst themselves. Election of Deputy Speaker is done after election of Speaker. The date of election of Deputy Speaker is fixed by Speaker. We note here that Deputy speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker and is directly responsible to Lok Sabha. If Deputy Speaker is also not present, a person appointed by President will discharge the duties.

Protem Speaker

Whenever Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker continues to remain in office until immediately before the first meeting of Lok Sabha after it is reconstituted. President appoints a speaker Pro Tem for the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha. He is appointed to administer oath to the new members and enable the house to elect a new speaker. Usually, the senior-most member is elected as Protem speaker and the President himself administers oath to him.

Secretary General of Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha has its own secretariat and its Secretary General is appointed by Lok Sabha speaker. He is a government servant and remains in office till age of 60 years. His functions are to provide a link between changing members and keeping the records. He summons the members to attend the session of parliament on behalf of President. He also authenticates the bill in absence of Speaker.  He is answerable to ONLY Speaker and his action cannot be criticized in or out of Lok Sabha.