UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 20-06-2024

Pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha

A senior Congress member is expected to be appointed as the pro-tem Speaker for the first session of the 18^th Lok Sabha.

• About - A pro-tem Speaker is ordinarily elected for the first sitting of a new legislative assembly where the Speaker is yet to be elected.
• Origin of the term- Pro-tem is a Latin phrase which means “for the time being”.
• Enshrined in - The Constitution does not mention the post, but the official 'Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs' details the 'Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem'.
• Tenure- The Pro tem Speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a limited period of time.
• Oath-The president administers the oath of the office for the pro-tem speaker.
• Normally, 3 other elected members of the Lok Sabha are also appointed by the President for the MPs to take oath before them.
• They are administered the oath by the Speaker pro-tem in the Lok Sabha.
• Duties- Under Article 188(1), it appears that a pro-tem Speaker only has the power to administer the oath to Assembly Members
  • The Pro-tem Speaker presides over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha, administers the oath of office to the newly elected MPs.
  • To conduct the vote for the speaker and deputy speaker.
  • On the election of new Speaker, the office of the pro tem speaker ceases to exist.
  • He also administers the floor test.

Reference

The Indian Express | Pro-tem Speaker

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is set to become the 2^nd home for cheetahs in India, after the Kuno National Park.

• Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary is a sanctuary spread over the Gandhi Sagar dam backwater.
• It was notified in 1974 and added to the list of sanctuary in 1984.
• Location - The sanctuary is spread across the districts of Mandsaur and Neemuch in Western Madhya Pradesh.
• This region is known a Nimar region which touches its border with Rajasthan.
• Physiography- It sits atop a flat rocky plateau, with the Chambal River cutting the sanctuary into two almost equal halves.

The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River, Chambal rises in the Vindhya Range, Madhya Pradesh and thus forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system.

• Forest type- It has Savanna ecosystem (dry deciduous trees and shrubs) due to shallow topsoil.
• Flora- It has trees like Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash etc.
• Fauna- It is knowns for some rare wildlife species like Wild Dogs (Dholes), Chinkara, Leopard, Otter, Mugger crocodile.

Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters is situated within this sanctuary.

Reference

The Indian Express |Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary