Question 9 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Polity & Governanc e

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 3 only

Strategy: - Identify keywords specifying statutory and conventional requirements.
- Validate Statement 1, which asserts the Speaker's authority to fix the election date, against the Rules of Procedure in Lok Sabha.
- Eliminate Statement 2, as there is no mandatory provision regarding the party affiliation of the Deputy Speaker, only a parliamentary convention.
- Confirm Statement 3, which directly aligns with the constitutional and procedural roles of the Deputy Speaker when presiding.
- Discard Statement 4, describing a convention not substantiated by Lok Sabha Rules or the Constitution.
- Conclude that only Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Key Info: The Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is a constitutional post established under Article 93 of the Constitution of India, which mandates the House to choose a Deputy Speaker as soon as possible. Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha specifies that the Speaker fixes the date for this election.

There is no constitutional or statutory requirement regarding the party affiliation of the Deputy Speaker. By well-established convention, the position is often offered to the opposition, but this is not mandatory.

When presiding, the Deputy Speaker exercises all powers of the Speaker under Article 95(1). Their rulings carry the same legal authority as the Speaker's, and no appeal against them lies in the House.

The motion for the election of the Deputy Speaker is generally moved by a member, not typically by the Speaker or seconded by the Prime Minister, as the rules do not require this. The Deputy Speaker's tenure runs independently of the Speaker's office. They may resign, be removed by a Lok Sabha resolution, or continue until a successor is appointed. Historically, Deputy Speakers have played a vital role in supporting the House's functioning and ensuring impartial conduct during debates.

Answer

Option B: 1, 2, and 3

Answer

Option C: 3 and 4 only

Answer

Option D: 2 and 4 only