Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

GS2 – Polity

Context:

India has not appointed a Deputy Speaker for both the 17th and 18th Lok Sabha sessions, despite constitutional provisions requiring it.

Constitutional Provision

• Article 93 of the Constitution mandates the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha “as soon as may be,” indicating urgency and not allowing for prolonged vacancies.
• Article 94 provides that the Deputy Speaker continues in office until they resign, are removed, or disqualified, ensuring continuity in leadership if the Speaker is unavailable due to resignation or illness.

Origin and Evolution of the Deputy Speaker’s Role

• The post was first introduced under the Government of India Act, 1919, with Sachidanand Sinha as its first occupant.
• Post-independence, the Constituent Assembly retained the position, recognizing its significance in parliamentary democracy.
• A historical instance highlighting its importance was in 1956, when Deputy Speaker M.A. Ayyangar stepped in as Acting Speaker after the sudden death of Speaker G.V. Mavalankar.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Presiding Officer: Chairs Lok Sabha proceedings in the absence of the Speaker, maintaining legislative continuity.
• Committee Head: Leads critical parliamentary committees like the Committee on Private Members’ Bills, ensuring functioning beyond the floor of the House.
• Neutral Arbiter: Expected to act impartially, rising above party affiliations to safeguard fair conduct.
• Guardian of Procedure: Upholds parliamentary rules, ensures structured debates, and protects institutional discipline.

Implications of the Vacancy

• Power Imbalance: Without a Deputy Speaker, all procedural control lies with the Speaker, often from the ruling party, weakening internal checks.
• Leadership Gaps: In cases of emergencies involving the Speaker, such as illness or resignation, the absence of a Deputy Speaker could lead to confusion and inaction.
• Constitutional Lapses: The persistent delay undermines constitutional ethics, sending a message that mandatory provisions are being treated as optional.
• Misuse of “As Soon As May Be”: The phrase meant to indicate urgency is being exploited, leading to vacancies that last the full term, distorting the spirit of the Constitution.

Convention of Allotting the Post to the Opposition

• Parliamentary Practice: Although not a constitutional requirement, it has been a consistent tradition to offer the Deputy Speaker’s role to an Opposition member.
• Democratic Balance: Doing so ensures bipartisan cooperation and avoids monopolization of legislative procedures by the ruling party, fostering trust and inclusiveness.

Suggested Reforms

1. Constitutional Amendment: Introduce a definite timeline (e.g., within 60 days of the first Lok Sabha sitting) for the election of the Deputy Speaker.
2. Legislative Backing: Pass a law authorizing the President to intervene if the House fails to elect a Deputy Speaker in a specified timeframe.
3. Revive Conventions: Reinforce the tradition of assigning the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition to maintain parliamentary neutrality.