Powers and Functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is elected from among the members of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha. The date of the election of the Speaker is decided by the President. The Speaker of the previous Lok Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. It is the responsibility of the Speaker to maintain the dignity and authority of the Lok Sabha. 

Circumstances in which the Speaker of the Lok Sabha loses his office

• If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha

• If the Deputy Speaker resigns

• If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of the members of the Lok Sabha (such a resolution can be removed only after giving 14 days' notice).

Once the Lok Sabha proceedings for the removal of the Speaker have been initiated, the Speaker is no longer eligible to hold office. However, he can speak and participate in the proceedings of the House during this time.

Powers and Responsibilities of the Speaker

• Presides over the Lok Sabha session.

• Decides whether a bill is a money bill or not.

• Casting vote is a special right of the Speaker to resolve constitutional crises.

• The Speaker appoints and controls various officers and employees of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

• The Speaker is responsible for protecting the rights of the Lok Sabha members and Lok Sabha committees.

• The Speaker's decision is final in all parliamentary matters.

• The Speaker decides how the House should function in accordance with the Constitution.

• The Speaker has the power to suspend the House in the absence of a quorum. The quorum is one-tenth of the total strength of the House.

• The Speaker presides over the joint sitting of Parliament with the permission of the President.

• The Speaker has the power to grant secret sittings on the request of the Leader of the House.

• The Speaker has a decisive role in deciding the disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha on the grounds of defection as per the provisions of the Tenth Schedule.

• The Speaker acts as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group, which is the link between the Indian Parliament and various parliaments of the world.

• The Speaker appoints the chairmen of all parliamentary committees of the Lok Sabha and supervises their functioning.

• The Speaker is also the chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee and the General Purpose Committee.

Rights of the Speaker

• A resolution to remove the Speaker can be discussed and considered in the House only if it has the support of at least 50 members. He can be removed only by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha with a special majority.

• The salary and allowances of the Speaker are fixed by Parliament. The amount for this is charged from the Consolidated Fund of India. These are not subject to an annual vote of Parliament.

• The Speaker's actions and proceedings cannot be discussed or criticized except through a resolution.

• No court has the power to question the proceedings of the House of Parliament, including the Speaker's rulings.