By Admin 
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken a big decision. He has announced not to go to the Lok Sabha House and sit on the Speaker’s chair until the no-confidence motion brought against him by the opposition is discussed and decided. According to IANS news agency, he has taken this decision on moral grounds so that the fairness of the House is maintained and the motion is resolved quickly. There is no compulsion to do so in parliamentary rules, but Om Birla has made his stand clear, ignoring the attempts to persuade both the government and the opposition.
When will the Speaker’s decision come into effect?
The second phase of the budget session will start from March 9. According to sources, discussion on the no-confidence motion may begin on the same day (March 9). Om Birla has decided that till then he will not go to the House nor sit on the Speaker’s chair. Sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat said that this is an ‘ethical step’ so that no party can say that the Speaker himself is influencing the process.
When will the Speaker’s decision come into effect?
The second phase of the budget session will start from March 9. According to sources, discussion on the no-confidence motion may begin on the same day (March 9). Om Birla has decided that till then he will not go to the House nor sit on the Speaker’s chair. Sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat said that this is an ‘ethical step’ so that no party can say that the Speaker himself is influencing the process.
What will happen next now?
- Check notice: The Lok Sabha Secretariat is already examining the notice. The Speaker himself has instructed General Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh that action should be taken as per the rules.
- Start of discussion: Discussion on the proposal may begin in the House on March 9. For this, at least 50 MPs will have to stand up and show their support, so that a formal debate can begin.
- Presiding Command: Speaker Om Birla himself will be absent, so the Deputy Speaker or any other member will preside over the House.
- Voting and decision: Voting will take place after discussion. To pass the proposal, a simple majority (about 272 votes) of the total membership of the Lok Sabha is required. Since NDA has majority, the chances of the proposal being passed are very less. If passed, the Speaker will have to step down.
This step has become a topic of much discussion in Parliament. The opposition is considering this as a victory against the bias of the Speaker. This decision of Om Birla is the first time that a speaker has decided to keep himself isolated during such a motion. Its impact on the proceedings of Parliament will be seen in the coming days.