With reference to the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
- As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of the Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the speaker may fix.
- There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate, as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
- The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
- The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Deputy Speaker is elected after the election of the Speaker has taken place. The date of election of the Deputy Speaker is fixed by the Speaker.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- There is no mandatory provision that the Deputy Speaker must be elected from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party. The position can be held by a member from any party, depending on the election.
Statement 3 is correct
- When presiding, the Deputy Speaker has the same powers as the Speaker, and his rulings are final in that context.
Statement 4 is incorrect
- The election of a Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix, and the Secretary-General shall send to every member notice of this date. At any time before noon on the day preceding the date so fixed, any member may give notice in writing, addressed to the Secretary-General, of a motion that another member be chosen as the Deputy Speaker of the House and the notice shall be seconded by a third member and shall be accompanied by a statement by the member whose name is proposed in the notice that the member proposed is willing to serve as Deputy Speaker, if elected.
- For example, in the case of Sardar Hukam Singh’s election (the first person from the Opposition to hold the position of Deputy Speaker was Sardar Hukam Singh, a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)) Deputy Speaker in 1956, the motion was proposed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and seconded by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, S N Sinha.
