Powers of the Lok Sabha Speaker

• Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• Each House of Parliament has its own presiding officer.
  • Lok Sabha: Speaker and a Deputy Speaker
  • Rajya Sabha: Chairman and a Deputy Chairman
• History
  • It originated under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms).
  • The Government of India Act,1935 changed the nomenclatures of President and Deputy President to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
• Election of Office of the Speaker
  • The Constitution of India requires the Speaker to be a member of the House.
  • No specific qualifications prescribed for being elected as the Speaker.
  • Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected Speaker.
• Voting: The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are chosen from the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of those present and voting in the House.
• Term of Office of the Speaker
  • The Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for 5 years).
  • The speaker once elected is eligible for re-election.
  • Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly elected Lok Sabha meets.
• Role and Powers of Speaker
  • Interpretation: Final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha and the parliamentary precedents, within the House.
  • Joint Sitting of Both Houses: Presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament which is summoned by the President to settle a deadlock between the two Houses on a bill.
  • Adjournment of Sitting: Adjourn the House or suspend the meeting in absence one-tenth of the total strength of the House (called the quorum).
  • Casting Vote: The speaker does not vote in the first instance but in the case of a tie; when the House is divided equally on any question, the Speaker is entitled to vote.
  • Money Bill: Decides whether a bill is a money bill or not and the decision of the Speaker is final.
  • Disqualification of Members: Decides the questions of disqualification of a member of the Lok Sabha, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
  • Chairing the IPG: Acts as the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) which is a link between the Parliament of India and the various parliaments of the world.
  • Constitution of Committees: The Committees of the House are constituted by the Speaker and function under the Speaker’s overall direction.
    • Committees like the Business Advisory Committee, the General Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairmanship.
  • Privileges of the House: The Speaker is the guardian of the rights and privileges of the House, its committees and members.
• Removal of Speaker
• If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
  • If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker.
  • If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.
  • When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration in the House, he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.

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ISRO Released Images of Sun Captured by Aditya L1

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released images of the Sun captured by the Aditya L1 satellite during a major geomagnetic storm.
• Aditya-L1 satellite is the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun.
• The satellite is placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses.
• The satellite’s major function includes the study of solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics, coronal heating and flares.

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Indian Tripartite Delegation at the 112^th Session of International Labour Conference (ILC)

• The Indian tripartite delegation participated in the 112^th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The session is led by Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ms. Sumita Dawra.
• The delegation highlighted the initiatives of the Government of India towards implementing labour reforms, enhancing social security coverage, promoting female labour force participation and efforts made towards identifying and promoting new employment opportunities.

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Vidyut Rakshak

• Indian Army was launched ‘Vidyut Rakshak’, developed by the Army Design Bureau (ADB).
• It is an Internet of Things-enabled (IoT) integrated generator monitoring, protection and control system.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud.

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National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the health ministry has launched National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).
• It is a digital platform that will bring together health insurance companies, healthcare sector service providers and government insurance scheme administrators.

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Sumit Nagal Clinches Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024

• Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal clinched the men’s singles title at the Heilbronn Neckarcup 2024 Challenger event in Germany.
• He defeated Alexander Ritschard of Switzerland.

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Sub-Lieutenant Anamika Rajeev Became Indian Navy's 1^st Woman Helicopter Pilot

• Sub-Lieutenant Anamika Rajeev became 1^st Woman Helicopter Pilot in Indian Navy.
• During the parade, she was awarded the Golden Wings by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar.