UPSC Express

1. He prorogues the House in the absence of quorum.
2. He presides over a joint sitting of the Houses, addressed by the President.
3. He decides whether a bill is a Money bill or not and his decision in this regard is final.
4. He never votes in the House, to maintain his impartiality.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 3 only

Answer: D

Exp: The options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.
As the Presiding Officer of the House, the Speaker has power to adjourn (not prorogue, as it is the President who prorogues the Houses) the sitting until there is quorum (The minimum number of members of the House of Parliament required to be present for a parliamentary proceeding to start is called Quorum, which is not less than 1/10 of the total strength of the House).
The Speaker presides over the joint sitting, which is summoned by the President to settle the deadlock between the Houses of Parliament. However, when the President addresses the House in a joint sitting, he himself presides it over, not the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Even though the Speaker of the Lok Sabha does not vote in the first instance, he can still exercise his vote in order to resolve a deadlock, thus the Speaker has a casting vote. This makes the position of the Speaker impartial.

Q32. Consider the following statements regarding the Speaker of the Lok Sabha:

1. He prorogues the House in the absence of quorum.
2. He presides over a joint sitting of the Houses, addressed by the President.
3. He decides whether a bill is a Money bill or not and his decision in this regard is final.
4. He never votes in the House, to maintain his impartiality.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 3 only

Answer: D

Exp: The options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect.
As the Presiding Officer of the House, the Speaker has power to adjourn (not prorogue, as it is the President who prorogues the Houses) the sitting until there is quorum (The minimum number of members of the House of Parliament required to be present for a parliamentary proceeding to start is called Quorum, which is not less than 1/10 of the total strength of the House).
The Speaker presides over the joint sitting, which is summoned by the President to settle the deadlock between the Houses of Parliament. However, when the President addresses the House in a joint sitting, he himself presides it over, not the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Even though the Speaker of the Lok Sabha does not vote in the first instance, he can still exercise his vote in order to resolve a deadlock, thus the Speaker has a casting vote. This makes the position of the Speaker impartial.