Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Also called: Article 89 · Topic: Parliamentary Procedure, Committees and Privileges · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Deputy Chairman is a member of the Rajya Sabha elected by the House itself (Article 89(2)). The Deputy Chairman presides when the Chairman's office is vacant, when the Chairman is absent, or when the Vice-President is acting as President. The Rajya Sabha can remove the Deputy Chairman by a resolution passed by a majority of all its then members.
Example
On days when the Vice-President is not in the chair, the Deputy Chairman runs the Rajya Sabha's proceedings. The Deputy Chairman also heads the Rajya Sabha's Committee of Privileges.
Don't confuse with
- Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: this post goes automatically to the Vice-President, who is not a member of the House. The Deputy Chairman is a member and is elected.
- Panel of vice-chairpersons: nominated by the Chairman, not elected. A vice-chairperson presides only when both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent.
Related concepts
- Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- Removal of the Speaker
- Casting vote
- Pro tem Speaker
- Deputy Speaker
- Panel of chairpersons
- Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- Panel of vice-chairpersons
- Voice vote
- Division