UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 9 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Lok Sabha Speaker
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectPolity
- TopicParliament
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements:
1. He/She holds office during the pleasure of the President.
2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of election but has to become a member within six months.
3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: B. 3 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 3 only
Only Statement 3 is correct because the Lok Sabha Speaker resigns to the Deputy Speaker, while the Speaker neither holds office at the President’s pleasure nor can be elected without being a Lok Sabha member.
Analysis
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha under Article 93. The office has constitutional security and is not held at the pleasure of the President.
Statement by statement
1. Holds office during the pleasure of the President — Incorrect
The Speaker does not hold office during the pleasure of the President.
The Speaker can be removed only by a resolution passed by an effective majority of the Lok Sabha, i.e. a majority of all the then members of the House.
2. Need not be a member of the House at the time of election — Incorrect
Article 93 says the Lok Sabha shall choose two of its members as Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
So, the Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha at the time of election. This is unlike a Minister, who can become a member within six months.
3. Resignation addressed to the Deputy Speaker — Correct
Under Article 94, the Speaker resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker resigns by writing to the Speaker.
Extra UPSC info
* The Speaker continues in office even after dissolution of the Lok Sabha until immediately before the first sitting of the newly elected Lok Sabha.
* The Speaker does not vote in the first instance but can exercise a casting vote in case of a tie under Article 100.
* The Speaker decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill.
* The Speaker decides disqualification cases under the Tenth Schedule, subject to judicial review.
* The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha proceedings and maintains order in the House.
* The Speaker’s removal requires an effective majority, not a simple majority of members present and voting.