29th April 2025 (12 Topics)
1
Apr
2
Apr
3
Apr
4
Apr
5
Apr
7
Apr
8
Apr
9
Apr
10
Apr
11
Apr
12
Apr
14
Apr
15
Apr
16
Apr
17
Apr
18
Apr
19
Apr
21
Apr
22
Apr
23
Apr
24
Apr
25
Apr
26
Apr
28
Apr
29
Apr
The post of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic or optional
You must be logged in to get greater insights. click here to login
Context
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha has remained vacant throughout the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024) and continues to be vacant after the formation of the 18th Lok Sabha in 2024, creating a constitutional anomaly and raising concerns about neglect of parliamentary conventions and democratic safeguards.
Constitutional and Historical Foundation
- Constitutional Mandate: Article 93 of the Constitution requires the Lok Sabha to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker "as soon as may be," indicating urgency and necessity, not discretion, for the post.
- Historical Evolution: The office traces its roots to the Deputy President of the Central Legislative Assembly during British rule (first held by Sachidanand Sinha, 1921) and was formally retained post-Independence to ensure legislative continuity.
- Role Definition: The Deputy Speaker is not merely a substitute but an institutional safeguard, expected to preside impartially, manage proceedings during Speaker's absence, and handle critical legislative responsibilities.
Significance in Parliamentary Practice
- Operational Necessity: A Speaker cannot preside continuously, making the Deputy Speaker crucial for uninterrupted and orderly House functioning.
- Neutrality and Trust: Once elected, the Deputy Speaker is expected to act impartially irrespective of political affiliation, thereby reinforcing the non-partisan ethos of the legislature.
- Bipartisanship Convention: Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker’s post has been offered to the Opposition to foster bipartisan cooperation, though this is a convention, not a legal obligation.
Present Anomaly and Reform Suggestions
- Current Constitutional Vacuum: The continued vacancy violates the spirit of "as soon as may be," creating centralization of procedural authority solely with the ruling side and risking leadership vacuum during emergencies.
- Impact on Democratic Functioning: By sidelining the appointment, Parliament risks eroding institutional credibility, weakening consensus politics, and undermining parliamentary safeguards.
- Reform Proposals: Introducing a mandatory time frame (e.g., election within 60 days of the first sitting) or a statutory mechanism involving Presidential intervention has been suggested to enforce compliance and close the current procedural loophole.
Practice Question
Q. The prolonged vacancy of the Deputy Speaker’s office in the Lok Sabha has exposed critical gaps in India’s parliamentary conventions and constitutional compliance. Examine the constitutional importance of the Deputy Speaker and suggest institutional reforms to address such anomalies.More Articles
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
