| Demand of the question Introduction. Contextual Introduction. Body. Role and function of speaker in lok sabha in parliamentary democracy. Conclusion. Contextual conclusion. |
India is a parliamentary democracy where the Parliamentary proceedings are headed by the Speaker in the lok sabha. A parliamentary democracy is a system of government in which citizens elect representatives to a legislative parliament to make the necessary laws and decisions for the country. In a parliamentary democracy, the Speaker represents the dignity and the freedom of the House and the country’s freedom and liberty.
Role and functions of Speaker of the Lok Sabha in a Parliamentary democracy:
- Ensure smooth proceedings of the house: The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha and conducts its proceedings. He also presides over the joint sittings of the two Houses of the Parliament. Therefore it enable parliament to successfully carry over the debates and passage of important laws.
- Maintain discipline in the Lok Sabha: The Speaker maintains discipline in the House. If any member disrupts or tries to disrupt the proceedings of the House, the Speaker can warn him or can ask him to leave the House. He can suspend a member from the House whom he finds guilty of violating the discipline and decorum. This ensure smooth functioning of lok sabha.
- Fix the Agenda of the House: The Speaker, in consultation with other members of the business committee of the House and the Prime Minister, fixes the agenda of the meetings of the House. This ensure timely debates and discussion on important issues of the country.
- Permission to ask questions: Each member of the House can put questions to the ministers; the permission of the Speaker is required purpose. This helps the speaker to prevent unnecessary and politically motivated questions while ensuring discussion on the important questions.
- Conduct the business of the House: The Speaker conducts the business of the House. He allows the members to introduce the bills or to move motions. He recognises the members on the floor of the House and gives them time for speaking in the House. He fixes time limit for the debates in the House, puts matters to vote, and announces the results. He can warn the members against the use of un-parliamentary language and can order the same to be expunged from the records.
- Interpretation of Rules of Procedure: The business of the House is conducted according to definite and settled rules of procedure. In case of any dispute regarding the rules of the House, the Speaker interprets and applies these rules. The interpretation of rules made by the Speaker is final and cannot be challenged.
- Power to adjourn the House: The Speaker can adjourn the meetings of the House if the quorum of the House is not complete or if the conducting the business of the House is not possible due to a disorderly behaviour of its members. This ensure presence of members in the parliament; performing his/her duties as mandated by citizens by electing him/her.
- Decision about a Money Bill: If a dispute arise over the question as to whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision is made by the Speaker. Such a decision is final and cannot be challenged inside or outside the House.
- Casting Vote: The Speaker does not participate in the debates and discussions of the House. He even does not take part in the voting on bills. Although as a member he has the right to vote. In case of a tie over any bill, he can exercise his casting vote, thereby contributing to important legislations.
- Protect Privileges of the Members of the House: The members of the House enjoy several privileges which are protected by the Speaker. The Speaker acts as the guardian of the privileges of the MPS and the House.
- Role regarding the Committees of the House: The Speaker plays an important role in the composition of the Committees. He is the ex-officio Chairman of some of the important committees such as Business Advisory Committee, Committee on Rules and few others.
Thus, the Speaker plays the crucial role of ensuring that the Parliament carries forward its role of legislation peacefully, maintaining harmony in the Houses of Parliament and taking crucial procedural decisions of the House. The Speaker is thus, considered as the true guardian of the Indian Parliamentary democracy, holding the complete authority of the Lok Sabha.
