What is the role of the Protem Speaker?

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Role of the Protem Speaker

Emblem of IndiaOperative person on the chair of the speaker of the Lok Sabha on state Legislative Assemblies, temporarily holding the post is called the Pro-tem speaker. He has to work for a limited Period, till the new speaker and deputy speakers are elected after the election. When Newly elected house is yet to elect its speaker, so to run activities of the House till the speaker is elected, the House chooses one of them with an agreement to work as a Pro tem speaker. Even of the other situations, when the posts of the speaker and deputy speaker lie vacant due to death resignation etc.

A Protem speaker is elected to handle the activities of the House. The powers regarding the Pro tem speakers are not clarified but this is very clear that Pro tem speaker does not have as much power as the permanent speaker has. He cannot or at least does not exercise the serious powers of the speaker like defection etc. But in regular routine work, he enjoys the same position power and privilege and immunities as that of a regular speaker.


Protem Speaker and his Duties

A Protem speaker is selected with by the Lok Sabha members and legislative assembly. Generally, the most senior member of the house is chosen for the post who then carries on the activities till the permanent speaker is chosen.

  • Duty of a 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.

  • Once the new Speaker is elected, the office of the pro tem speaker ceases to exist. He also administers the floor test.

What is 'Speaker Pro Tem': After a general election and the formation of a new government, the Legislative Section of Parliament prepares a list of the senior most Lok Sabha members. The list is then submitted to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who submits a note to the President seeking his approval to the appointment of the protem Speaker. The first meeting after the election when the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are selected by members of the Parliament is held under the Protem Speaker. In absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker and in the absence of both a committee of six member selected by the Speaker will act as Speaker according to their seniority.
Source: Wikipedia.org

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