Context:

• MP Om Birla named as choice for Speaker’s post.
• He is presiding officer of Lok sabha.
• He is the guardian of powers and privileges of members and committees of Lok Sabha

Duration in Office:

• Speaker remains in office during the life of Lok Sabha (he needs to remain member of Lok Sabha).
• When the office of Lok Sabha speaker falls vacant, the members elect another speaker on a date fixed by the President.
• Whenever Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker continues to remain in office until immediately before the first meeting of Lok Sabha after it is reconstituted.

Resignation:

• Disqualified if ceases to be the member of House Addressing a resignation letter to Deputy Speaker

Removal:

• Speaker can be removed by the members of Lok Sabha by a resolution passed by Absolute Majority {Majority of the Total Members of the House} of Lok Sabha.
• 14 days advanced notice must be given for such resolution.
• The Motion of Removal can be considered and discussed only when it has the support of at least 50 Members.
• If resolution is under consideration of the house, Speaker Cannot Preside the Meeting, but can participate in the house and vote in the first instance though not in the case of an equality of votes.

Powers and Functions:

• The Guardian of powers and privileges of members and committees of Lok Sabha. To Maintain order and decorum in Lok Sabha
• His interpretations of constitutional provisions, rules and regulations related to Lok Sabha are final.
• Adjournment of Lok Sabha is done by Speaker
• During voting in the house on a bill or other matters, he does not vote in the first instance. However, if there is a tie due to equal votes, speaker exercises the casting vote
• Joint sittings of both the houses of parliament are although called by President but presided by Lok Sabha speaker.
• On the request of the Leader of the House, Speaker may allow a secret meeting.
• Whether a bill is money bill or not, is decided by Speaker and his decision in this matter is final.
• Disqualification of Members of House-
  • Speaker decides the question of disqualification of Lok Sabha members in matters of tenth schedule / anti-defection law. This decision is subject to judicial
• He is the Ex-Officio Chairman of Indian Parliamentary Group of the Inter- parliamentary Union.
• Chairman of all the parliamentary committees of Lok Sabha are appointed by Speaker, provided such committees does not need an elected chairman
• Speaker himself is the chairman of
  • Business Advisory Committee,
  • Rules Committee and
  • General Purpose
• The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha is appointed by the Speaker.

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha:

• If Speaker of Lok Sabha is not available, his duties are carried out by Deputy Speaker Election– A Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha members from amongst themselves.
• Election of Deputy Speaker is done after election of Speaker.
• Deputy speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker and is directly responsible to Lok Sabha.
• If Deputy Speaker is also not present, a person appointed by President will discharge the duties.

Pro Tem Speaker:

• President appoints a speaker Pro Tem for the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha. He is appointed to administer oath to the new members and enable the house to elect a new speaker (Before Oath they cannot be member of house and participate in proceeding).