Context:

Seven members were suspended for unruly behavior in the Lok Sabha. The motion was passed by a voice vote.

The role of Speaker

• It is the role and duty of the Speaker of Lok Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
• Speaker is empowered to force a Member to withdraw from the House (for the remaining part of the day), or to place him/her under suspension.

The rules under which the Speaker acts

• Rule 373: Rule Number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business says: “The Speaker, it is of the opinion that the conduct of any Member is grossly disorderly, may direct such Member to withdraw immediately from the House, and any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall remain absent during the remainder of the day’s sitting.”
• Rule 374: To deal with more recalcitrant Members, the Speaker may take recourse to Rules 374 ” The Speaker may, it deems it necessary, name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business thereof.
  • If a Member is so named by the Speaker, the Speaker shall, on a motion being made forthwith put the question that the Member (naming such Member) be suspended from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session: Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.
  • A member suspended under this rule shall forthwith withdraw from the precincts of the House.

The procedure for revocation of a Member’s suspension

• While the Speaker is empowered to place a Member under suspension, the authority for revocation of this order is not vested in her.
• It is for the House, if it so desires, to resolve on a motion to revoke the suspension.

Case of Rajya Sabha:

• Like the Speaker in Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is empowered under Rule Number 255 of its Rule Book to “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately” from the House.
• Any Member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the day’s meeting.”
• The Chairman may “name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by persistently and wilfully obstructing” business.
• In such a situation, the House may adopt a motion suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
• The House may, however, by another motion, terminate the suspension.
• Unlike the Speaker, however, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a Membe.