The Parliament (Indian Polity and Governance) Part-II

Total Questions: 44

31. Who was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012, U.P.P.C.S (Mains) 2011, Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, I.A.S. (Pre) 2007, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2022]

Correct Answer: (a) Shri Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar
Solution:G.V. Mavalankar was the Speaker of the First Lok Sabha. The names of the Speakers of the Lok Sabha are given below:
NameYear
(i) G.V. Mavalankar1952-1956
(ii) M. Ananthasayanam Iyengar1956-1962
(iii) Sardar Hukum Singh1962-1967
(iv) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy1967-1969
(v) Gurudayal Singh Dhillon1969-1975
(vi) Bali Ram Bhagat1976-1977
(vii) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy1977(March-July)
(viii) K.S. Hegde1977-1980
(ix) Balram Jakhar1980-1989
(x) Rabi Ray1989-1991
(xi) Shivraj Patil1991-1996
(xii) P. A. Sangma1996-1998
(xiii) G.M.C. Balayogi1998-2002
(xiv) Manohar Joshi2002-2004
(xv) Somnath Chatterjee2004-2009
(xvi) Smt. Meira Kumar2009-2014
(xvii) Smt. Sumitra Mahajan2014-2019
(xvi) Shri Om Birla2019 to present.

32. Who was the first speaker of the first Lok Sabha of India? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) G.V. Mavalankar
Solution:G.V. Mavalankar was the Speaker of the First Lok Sabha. The names of the Speakers of the Lok Sabha are given below:
NameYear
(i) G.V. Mavalankar1952-1956
(ii) M. Ananthasayanam Iyengar1956-1962
(iii) Sardar Hukum Singh1962-1967
(iv) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy1967-1969
(v) Gurudayal Singh Dhillon1969-1975
(vi) Bali Ram Bhagat1976-1977
(vii) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy1977(March-July)
(viii) K.S. Hegde1977-1980
(ix) Balram Jakhar1980-1989
(x) Rabi Ray1989-1991
(xi) Shivraj Patil1991-1996
(xii) P. A. Sangma1996-1998
(xiii) G.M.C. Balayogi1998-2002
(xiv) Manohar Joshi2002-2004
(xv) Somnath Chatterjee2004-2009
(xvi) Smt. Meira Kumar2009-2014
(xvii) Smt. Sumitra Mahajan2014-2019
(xvi) Shri Om Birla2019 to present.

33. The first Speaker against whom a Motion of No- confidence was moved in the Lok Sabha was- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (b) G.V. Mavalankar
Solution:Acharya J.B. Kripalani, with 21 Parliament members of the opposition, moved a No- Confidence Motion against First Lok Sabha Speaker G.V. Mavalankar  on 15 December, 1954. This motion was refused by the Lok Sabha on 18 December, 9154.

Significance of Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker of Lok Sabha holds significant importance in the Indian parliamentary system. The major significance of the Speaker of Lok Sabha can be seen as follows:

  • Orderly Functioning of House - The Speaker ensures orderly conduct of proceedings, maintaining decorum, and upholding the rules of the House.
  • Impartiality-The Speaker is expected to maintain impartiality and fairness while conducting the business of the house. They are responsible for giving all members an equal opportunity to express their views.
  • Decision-Making - The Speaker makes crucial decisions on matters of parliamentary procedure, interpretation of rules, and maintaining discipline among members.
  • Committee Appointments - The Speaker plays a role in appointing members to various parliamentary committees, which are essential for the functioning of the legislative process.
  • Custodian of Parliamentary Privileges - The Speaker safeguards the privileges of the members and the dignity of the house, ensuring that parliamentary proceedings are conducted with respect and integrity.
  • Bridge between House and Government - The Speaker represents the collective voice of the Lok Sabha. He/she acts as a bridge between the members and the government, ensuring that the concerns of the members are addressed.
  • Symbol of Authority - The Speaker symbolizes the authority of the Lok Sabha and is responsible for upholding the sanctity of the parliamentary institution.

34. The first female Speaker of Lok Sabha is- [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

Correct Answer: (d) Meira Kumar
Solution:The first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha was Meira Kumar. Sha was chosen unopposed as Speaker and served from June 2009 to June 2014.

Significance of Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker of Lok Sabha holds significant importance in the Indian parliamentary system. The major significance of the Speaker of Lok Sabha can be seen as follows:

  • Orderly Functioning of House - The Speaker ensures orderly conduct of proceedings, maintaining decorum, and upholding the rules of the House.
  • Impartiality-The Speaker is expected to maintain impartiality and fairness while conducting the business of the house. They are responsible for giving all members an equal opportunity to express their views.
  • Decision-Making - The Speaker makes crucial decisions on matters of parliamentary procedure, interpretation of rules, and maintaining discipline among members.
  • Committee Appointments - The Speaker plays a role in appointing members to various parliamentary committees, which are essential for the functioning of the legislative process.
  • Custodian of Parliamentary Privileges - The Speaker safeguards the privileges of the members and the dignity of the house, ensuring that parliamentary proceedings are conducted with respect and integrity.
  • Bridge between House and Government - The Speaker represents the collective voice of the Lok Sabha. He/she acts as a bridge between the members and the government, ensuring that the concerns of the members are addressed.
  • Symbol of Authority - The Speaker symbolizes the authority of the Lok Sabha and is responsible for upholding the sanctity of the parliamentary institution.

35. Who among the following is the first women Speaker in Lok Sabha? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2023]

Correct Answer: (c) Meira Kumar
Solution:Meira Kumar is the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Meira Kumar was an India diplomat, politician, and government official who served as speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha (Lower chamber of the Indian parliament) From 2009 to 2014, the first woman to hold that position.

Significance of Speaker of Lok Sabha
The Speaker of Lok Sabha holds significant importance in the Indian parliamentary system. The major significance of the Speaker of Lok Sabha can be seen as follows:

  • Orderly Functioning of House - The Speaker ensures orderly conduct of proceedings, maintaining decorum, and upholding the rules of the House.
  • Impartiality-The Speaker is expected to maintain impartiality and fairness while conducting the business of the house. They are responsible for giving all members an equal opportunity to express their views.
  • Decision-Making - The Speaker makes crucial decisions on matters of parliamentary procedure, interpretation of rules, and maintaining discipline among members.
  • Committee Appointments - The Speaker plays a role in appointing members to various parliamentary committees, which are essential for the functioning of the legislative process.
  • Custodian of Parliamentary Privileges - The Speaker safeguards the privileges of the members and the dignity of the house, ensuring that parliamentary proceedings are conducted with respect and integrity.
  • Bridge between House and Government - The Speaker represents the collective voice of the Lok Sabha. He/she acts as a bridge between the members and the government, ensuring that the concerns of the members are addressed.
  • Symbol of Authority - The Speaker symbolizes the authority of the Lok Sabha and is responsible for upholding the sanctity of the parliamentary institution.

36. With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha. consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

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?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Solution:As per Rules 8(1) of procedure and conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, the election of the Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the speaker may fix and the secretary convey to all members. As per Article 93, the speaker and deputy speaker of the house of the people shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the house, respectively. There is no mandatory provision that the election of candidates as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principle opposition or ruling party.

Article 95(1) of the Indian Constitution, in the absence of the speaker, the Deputy speaker chairs the house and he has the same power as the speaker when presiding over the sitting of the house and no appeal lies against his rulings. As per rule 8(2) of the Rule of procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabha a motion regarding the appointment of the deputy speaker is moved by the other member and seconded by the other member. Thus statement (4) is also wrong.

37. Present Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker is- [43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (e) Om Birla, BJP since 17 June 2019
Solution:At the time of question (in 1999), P.M. Sayeed was the Deputy Speaker of the House. Charanjit Singh Atwal was the Deputy Speaker of the 14 Lok Sabha, and Karia Munda was the Deputy Speaker of the 15 Lok Sabha. M. Thambidurai was the Deputy Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha. Currently, the post of the Deputy speaker of Lok Sabha is vacant from May, 2019.

The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker in managing the functioning of the Lok Sabha.
In the Speaker's absence or when the post is vacant, the Deputy Speaker presides over proceedings and performs all associated duties.
If nominated to any legislative committee, the Deputy Speaker automatically assumes the role of its chairman.

38. In case the Deputy Speaker is presiding the Lok Sabha he has right to- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) Take part in its deliberations.
Solution:According to Article 95 of the Indian Constitution, when the office of Speaker is vacant, its duties shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker, who can vote in the event of an equality of votes, while others are not the rights of the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker in managing the functioning of the Lok Sabha.
In the Speaker's absence or when the post is vacant, the Deputy Speaker presides over proceedings and performs all associated duties.
If nominated to any legislative committee, the Deputy Speaker automatically assumes the role of its chairman.

39. Who among the following was the first Tribal Speaker of Lok Sabha? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (d) P.A. Sangama
Solution:On 23 May 1996, P.A. Sangma became the first tribal speaker of the 11 Lok Sabha.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a pivotal figure in the Indian parliamentary system, serving as the guardian of the Lok Sabha's powers, privileges, and democratic principles. While the office of the Speaker is endowed with significant authority and autonomy, the persistent challenges to its impartiality and fairness underscore the need for continued vigilance and adherence to the highest standards of parliamentary conduct. As the custodian of the Lok Sabha's integrity, the Speaker must strive to rise above partisan considerations and act as an impartial arbitrator, upholding the collective interests of the members and the institution.

40. The Lok Sabha Secretariat comes under the direct control of the: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (d) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Solution:The Lok Sabha Secretariat works under the direction and control of the Speaker of the House. The Secretariat has supreme authority over its employees, premises, and assets of the Parliament and exercises this authority through the Secretary (as provided by Article 98 and rules 124 and 124-A).

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a pivotal figure in the Indian parliamentary system, serving as the guardian of the Lok Sabha's powers, privileges, and democratic principles. While the office of the Speaker is endowed with significant authority and autonomy, the persistent challenges to its impartiality and fairness underscore the need for continued vigilance and adherence to the highest standards of parliamentary conduct. As the custodian of the Lok Sabha's integrity, the Speaker must strive to rise above partisan considerations and act as an impartial arbitrator, upholding the collective interests of the members and the institution.