What is the issue?
- Recently several Lok Sabha members produced written notices to the Speaker for a no-confidence motion.
- Despite the Speaker's defined powers in this regard, she has failed to act upon this.
What is a no confidence motion?
- A no-confidence motion is a tool of opposition party to prove no majority or no confidence in the PM and Council of Ministers.
- No-Confidence motion is not mentioned in the Constitution of India.
- If the motion is passed, the ruling government ceases to enjoy the trust and confidence of the house and is subsequently removed.
- A No confidence motion needs to be necessarily brought only in Lok Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha cannot take up a No confidence motion or Adjournment motion.
What is the purpose?
- The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers can hold office only as long as they have the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
- The parliamentary system is thus primarily based on the idea of accountability.
- It is achieved through processes such as questions, adjournment motions, etc.
- The no-confidence motion is a final measure in this context.
What is the Speaker's role in this?
- Motion - The no-confidence motion needs to be given priority over all other businesses of the Parliament.
- This is because other businesses cannot be undertaken when the very legitimacy of the government is being questioned.
- If there are notices for no-confidence motion, the Speaker has to verify whether there are at least 50 MPs who support its introduction.
- She should then fix a time for discussing it.
- Order - The Speaker has the prime responsibility of ensuring that the House functions in order.
- In case of disruptive behaviour by some MPs, the Speaker has the powers and the responsibility to bring order to the House.
- MPs failing to comply with the Speaker's order can be asked to withdraw from the House, or can even be forcibly removed.
- Necessary steps including suspension of members can be taken to ensure order in the House.
What is the present concern?
- The Parliament is witnessing disrupt for quite some time due to various concerns of different States.
- In this backdrop, the Speaker has expressed her inability to ensure the required number of members supporting the no-confidence motion.
- The inability of Parliament to function and to test the support for the government undermines the very basis of democratic structure.
Source: The Hindu
