RELEVANCE – UPSC GS PRELIMS & GS MAINS – II
EXPECTED QUESTIONS
PRELIMS
QUES 1 . Pro tem Speaker is appointed by
a . Prime Minister
b. President
c . Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
D . He is elected by the members from amongst themselves.
Answers – b
MAINS EXAM
QUES 1 . Considering the recent controversies do you think an amendment is needed in the Constitution to make provisions regarding the qualifications and appointment of pro tem speaker?
ABOUT PRO TEM SPEAKER
Pro-tem, is a Latin phrase which means“for the time being”. Pro-tem speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a limited time period to conduct the works in Lok Sabha or in state legislatures.
The Speaker of the last Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly- elected Lok Sabha or the Vidhan Sabha . Therefore, the President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha or Governor appoints a member in Vidhan Sabha as the Speaker Pro-tem .
Appointment
As soon as the new government is formed, the Legislative Section of Parliament or Vidhan Sabha prepares a list of the senior-most Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha members. The list is then submitted to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs for the appointment. Thereafter, the minister submits a note to the President or Governor as the case may be seeking his approval.
A pro-tem speaker is appointed by the President in Lok Sabha or by Governor in Vidhan Sabha as the case may be with the agreement of the members of the Lok Sabha or legislative assembly, so that he can carry on the activities till the permanent speaker is not chosen. Usually, the seniormost member of the house is selected for the post.
Tenure
Once the new Speaker is elected, the office of the pro tem speaker ceases to exist.
Powers
The powers of the pro tem speaker are not defined.
Functions
The main duty of the pro-tem speaker is to administer the oath of office to new members of the house. He also enables the House to elect the new Speaker.