Question
With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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?
Explanation
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Statement 1 is correct: Under Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker’s election is held on a date fixed by the Speaker (the Speaker’s own election date is fixed by the President).
Statement 2 is incorrect: There’s no mandatory rule that the Deputy Speaker must come from the opposition or the treasury benches — it’s only an informal convention.
Statement 3 is correct: When presiding in the Speaker’s absence, the Deputy Speaker exercises the same powers as the Speaker, and no appeal lies against their rulings.
Statement 4 is incorrect: There’s no convention that the motion for Deputy Speaker’s election must be moved by the Speaker and seconded by the PM — any member can move it.