With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : 1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix. 2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party. 3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings. 4. The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
A
1 and 3 only
Correct Answer
B
1, 2 and 3
C
3 and 4 only
D
2 and 4 only
Explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct because, under Rule 8 of the Lok Sabha Rules, the Speaker fixes the election date, and the Deputy Speaker exercises the same final authority as the Speaker when presiding, with no appeal against their rulings. Statement 2 is incorrect because electing the Deputy Speaker from the opposition is a parliamentary convention established in the 11th Lok Sabha, not a mandatory legal or constitutional provision, which makes option (b) the most tempting wrong choice. The core concept tested is the constitutional status and procedural rules governing the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha.
Indian PolityParliament, Presiding OfficersDeputy SpeakerLok SabhaRules of Procedure and Conduct of Businesselection dateSpeakerprincipal opposition partyruling partypowersrulingsparliamentary practicePrime Minister