The functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha - Class 8 PDF Download

I. Election: The Lok Sabha is the Lower House of the Parliament. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker must necessarily be a member of the Lok Sabha. The primary function of the newly elected Lok Sabha is to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. The speaker elected by a simple majority. Generally, the Speaker is taken from the ruling party while Deputy Speaker is taken from the opposition parties.

II. Term of Office: Normally, the Speaker is elected for a period of five years. However, he is in office until a new Speaker is elected by the new House. The Speaker does not vacate his office even when the House is dissolved. The Speaker has to vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House. He can be elected to this office for the second time also. The Speaker can resign his office at any time. He can also be removed from his office by a resolution passed by a majority of all members on the roll of the Lok Sabha.

III. Powers and Functions of the Speaker:

1. To preside over the meetings of Lok Sabha: The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha. All the members of the Houses have to obey his orders. It is his responsibility to maintain order in the House. If the situation goes out of control he can adjourn or suspend the meeting of the House.

2. To grant permission for the Bills: The Speaker has the power to grant permission for the introduction of the Bills in the House. About this his decision is final.

3. Appointments: The Speaker appoints the Chairman and other members of the Select Committee. He also has the power to appoint the Chair Persons and members at the other Committees of the House.

4. Powers about the speeches of the members: The Speaker grants permission to the members to speak in the Lok Sabha. No one can deliver a speech without his permission. All the members while making a speech have to address the chair. He is also to see that no member makes an irrelevant speech and thereby waste the time of the House.

5. To maintain discipline among the members at the Lok Sabha: It is the most important duty of the Speaker to maintain discipline and order in the House. If a member disregards his authority in spite of warning, he can name him for suspension. In case a member does not leave the House on the order of, the Speaker can ask the watch and ward staff to lift him bodily and remove him from the House.

6. To suspend the meeting of the House: Since the Speaker is responsible to maintain 

discipline and order in the House, therefore, if he feels that the situation is out of control then he can adjourn and suspend the meeting of the House. For the period he thinks it is necessary.

7. Decision about the Bills: It is for the Speaker to certify whether a particular Bill is a Money Bill or not and his certificate is final on the point.

8. To sign Bills passed in the House: Before sending a Bill to the Rajya Sabha or to the President, the Speaker signs the Bills as a token of having been passed by the Lok Sabha.

9. Voting on the Bills: The Speaker decides about the admissibility of a Bill. After the admission of a Bill in the House, he conducts the voting on the Bill. Alter the voting he has the power to declare the results.

10. To caste the casting vote: The Speaker has no right to caste his vote in the first instance but he has the right to vote in case of a tie. This is known as the casting vote of the speaker.

11. To safeguard the privileges of the members: The Speaker is the guardian of the privileges of the members of Lok Sabha. He can insist that action must be taken against any one guilty of violating the privileges of the members of the House.

12. To preside over the joint sessions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: In case of a joint meeting of both the Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) on a disputed Bill, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides.