A protem speaker is an important person appointed temporarily to handle the proceedings in the Parliament or State legislatures. The role of a protem speaker is to ensure that everything runs smoothly during a limited time period until the regular speaker is elected. This person is typically given the responsibility to oversee the swearing-in of new members and other administrative tasks until the main speaker takes over.
In the 17th Lok Sabha, Virendra Kumar, a seven-time Member of Parliament from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh, was chosen as the protem speaker. His appointment highlights the significance of the role, as he is entrusted with leading the Parliament’s sessions temporarily. Let’s dive deeper into understanding the duties and importance of the protem speaker.
Everything You Need to Know About a Protem Speaker in Parliament
A protem speaker is a temporary figure in the Parliament or state legislature. Their role is to manage parliamentary sessions for a short time until the regular speaker is selected. While it may seem like a small role, a protem speaker holds important responsibilities, particularly in ensuring that the parliament runs smoothly. The position of protem speaker is necessary to keep things organized in the initial stages of a new parliament, especially when a new batch of members takes their seats.
The protem speaker is usually appointed by the President or the Chief Minister of the state. This person is responsible for conducting the first meeting of the newly elected members. It’s the protem speaker who swears in the new parliament members and oversees the election of the main speaker.
As in the case of the 17th Lok Sabha, Virendra Kumar, who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) seven times from Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, was appointed the protem speaker. His duties began at the start of the new term and continued until the election of the regular speaker.
In this post, we will explain the duties of a protem speaker, how they are appointed, and why this position is crucial for a well-functioning government. Let’s begin!
What is a Protem Speaker? An Easy Guide for Beginners
A protem speaker is a temporary speaker who is given the task of leading the parliamentary sessions for a short period. The term “protem” means “for the time being” in Latin, which perfectly describes the position’s role. They do not have the same authority as the regular speaker but have enough power to manage the parliament until the speaker is elected.
The protem speaker’s main responsibility is to conduct the first session of a newly elected Parliament or State Legislature. They help administer the oath of office to new members and ensure the election process for the regular speaker goes smoothly. This is a crucial part of the parliamentary process, and without a protem speaker, the parliamentary activities would be delayed or halted until the regular speaker is elected.
The Role and Duties of a Protem Speaker in Parliament
The protem speaker plays a critical role during the initial meetings of Parliament. They oversee the first meeting of Parliament, which includes calling members to take their oath and ensuring the session proceeds in an organized manner. Without this position, the parliament would be at a standstill as no one would be in charge to manage the meeting or appoint the regular speaker.
Some of the key duties of a protem speaker include:
Administering the oath: The protem speaker is responsible for swearing in newly elected members of Parliament or State Legislature.
Maintaining order: Although they don’t have the power of the regular speaker, the protem speaker ensures the session runs smoothly.
Supervising speaker election: The protem speaker manages the election process of the regular speaker. They are in charge of overseeing the voting and ensuring fair election practices.
Performing parliamentary duties: The protem speaker has to call for debates and maintain order during discussions.
Without the protem speaker, there would be no one to oversee the important first steps that begin a Parliament’s term. Therefore, their role, although temporary, is highly important.
Virendra Kumar: The New Protem Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha
In June 2019, Virendra Kumar, a veteran politician from Madhya Pradesh, was appointed as the protem speaker for the 17th Lok Sabha. This appointment was important as it was the first step for the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha. Virendra Kumar took on the task of managing the initial parliamentary proceedings and guiding the members in the process of electing the regular speaker.
Virendra Kumar is known for his long experience as a Member of Parliament. He has served for seven terms in the Lok Sabha, making him highly experienced in the workings of Parliament. His appointment as the protem speaker reflected his competence and leadership qualities.
During his tenure as protem speaker, Kumar oversaw the swearing-in ceremony of all the new MPs and ensured that the election of the regular speaker was conducted smoothly. This was essential for the functioning of the new Lok Sabha. His role as protem speaker was crucial in maintaining the continuity of parliamentary activities.
Why is a Protem Speaker Important for Parliamentary Functioning
A protem speaker holds a unique and important role in the parliamentary process. While their job is temporary, they ensure that parliamentary activities begin without delay and that new members are sworn in properly. The election of the regular speaker is one of the most important tasks, and the protem speaker ensures that this process is conducted with transparency and fairness.
Setting the stage: The protem speaker is responsible for setting the stage for the election of the regular speaker, which is one of the first tasks in any new parliamentary session.
Ensuring smooth elections: By managing the election of the regular speaker, the protem speaker makes sure the legislative work continues smoothly.
Maintaining order: The protem speaker ensures that the first session is conducted in an orderly fashion and without disruption. Their role is essential in ensuring a peaceful start to the Parliament’s term.
Overseeing new members: The protem speaker also makes sure that all newly elected members are sworn in, making them eligible to participate in the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
Thus, the position of a protem speaker is vital for the beginning of any new parliamentary session, allowing the government to function without unnecessary delays.
The Process of Appointing a Protem Speaker in Indian Politics
In India, the President or the Chief Minister of the state appoints the protem speaker. The protem speaker is typically chosen from among the senior-most members of Parliament. The process usually involves selecting someone who has experience in parliamentary procedures, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the duties that come with this role.
The appointment of the protem speaker is made before the first session of the newly elected Parliament or State Legislature. Once appointed, the protem speaker’s primary task is to administer the oath to new members. Following this, they will oversee the election of the regular speaker, marking the official start of the legislative activities.
Here’s how the appointment process generally works:
The President or Chief Minister appoints the protem speaker.
The protem speaker administers the oath to all newly elected members.
The protem speaker supervises the election of the main speaker.
The regular speaker takes charge after their election, and the protem speaker’s duties end.
In short, the protem speaker’s appointment is a vital step to ensure that Parliament gets up and running.
Differences Between a Regular Speaker and a Protem Speaker
Though both the regular speaker and the protem speaker hold similar titles, there are significant differences in their duties and powers.
Duration: A protem speaker holds office temporarily, while a regular speaker serves for the entire term of the Parliament.
Powers: The regular speaker has more powers, such as the ability to regulate debates, suspend members, and give final decisions on issues. In contrast, the protem speaker only ensures that the initial procedures are followed.
Main Responsibility: The protem speaker’s primary duty is to handle the early stages of Parliament, such as the swearing-in ceremony and speaker election. On the other hand, the regular speaker has broader responsibilities in managing the daily sessions and maintaining order throughout the term.
Understanding these differences helps clarify why the role of the protem speaker is necessary in the smooth functioning of Parliament, even though their term is short-lived.
Conclusion
The position of a protem speaker is essential for maintaining the smooth operation of the Indian Parliament. Though their role is temporary, they provide a vital service by overseeing the initial steps of a parliamentary session, like swearing in new members and overseeing the election of the regular speaker. Without this temporary position, parliamentary proceedings would be delayed, leading to disruptions in the functioning of the government.
While the regular speaker plays a central role in the daily workings of Parliament, the protem speaker ensures that the parliamentary process starts on the right foot. As we’ve seen in the case of Virendra Kumar, who served as the protem speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha, this role is important in ensuring that the first sessions go ahead without a hitch. It’s a temporary position, but its importance cannot be overstated.
FAQs
Q: What is the role of a protem speaker
A: A protem speaker manages the first session of Parliament and ensures the election of the regular speaker, among other duties.
Q: How is a protem speaker appointed
A: The President or Chief Minister appoints the protem speaker, usually from among the senior members of Parliament.
Q: Can a protem speaker take decisions during parliamentary sessions
A: No, a protem speaker does not have the full powers of a regular speaker and is only responsible for initial parliamentary activities.
Q: How long does a protem speaker serve
A: A protem speaker serves temporarily, usually until the regular speaker is elected.
Q: Why is the protem speaker important
A: The protem speaker ensures that the initial steps in Parliament, like swearing in members and electing the regular speaker, happen smoothly.
