IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> INDIA (Lok Sabha )
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
INDIA
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Sansad / Parliament
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Lok Sabha / House of the People
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Rajya Sabha / Council of States
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, ceasing to be a Member of the House, being removed removed from his office by a resolution of the House, death, dissolution of the Parliament
Appointment - elected by all the Members of the Lok Sabha at a date fixed by the President following the newly elected Parliament
- after newly elected Members are sworn in
Eligibility any Member may give a motion addressed to the Secretary General with the name of the chosen Speaker - all the motions which are in order are entered in the List of Business which is issued on the day preceding the election
Voting system - formal and open vote
- simple majority is required
Procedures / results - the Speaker pro tempore appointed by the President presides over the Lok Sabha during the voting
- the Speaker pro tempore supervises the voting
- the Speaker pro tempore announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks 6th in the hierarchy of State, equally with the Chief Justice
- Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Vice-President of India) has precedence over the Speaker of Lok Sabha
- represents the Lok Sabha with the public authorities
- is ex officio member of a committee which nominates the Chairman of the Press Council of India
- represents the Lok Sabha in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the deliberations of the House
Board
Material facilities - salary (40,000 rupees/ month)
+ constituency allowance ((3 000 rupees/month) + daily allowance (200 r./day) + sumptuary allowance (1 000 r./month) + travelling allowance for him/her and his/her family
- free medical treatment
- official residence
- official car
- railway pass
- secretariat
- body guards
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - organizes the debates and ensures that time is divided between the party in power and other groups in proportion to their respective strength in the House
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- constitutes and appoints parliamentary committees and appoints the presiding officers
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- announcements concerning the Lok Sabha are made at times by the Speaker and by the House in regard to certain matters
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up (if a Member requests that any amendment be put separately, the Speaker shall do so) and selects which amendments have to be debated
- calls for a vote and invites Members to say yes or no and gives his/her opinion about the results - this opinion can be challenged, in this case, the Speaker puts the question a second time and if his/her opinion is again challenged, orders that the votes be recorded by division
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
Special powers - supervises the establishment of the Lok Sabha's budget prepared by the Secretariat
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff with the Secretariat,
- appoints the Clerk
- supervises the Secretariat who organizes the services of Parliament
- heads the parliamentary delegation abroad and receives delegation from other Parliaments
- is responsible for relations with other Parliaments, through bilateral exchange of parliamentary delegations
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Lok Sabha
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - has only a casting vote which he/she must exercise in case of an equality of votes
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure, according to the Rules

Copyright 1996-2016 Inter-Parliamentary Union