DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RAJYA SABHA

The Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is a position that performs the duties of the chairperson in the unavailability of the chairman due to any reason. Other than that, the deputy chairman also assists in the functioning of the house and the chairman in every action. The deputy chairman also handles all Rajya Sabha proceedings in the capacity of the chairman of Rajya Sabha.  

Under the polity subject, the role of the deputy chairman, selection process of the deputy chairman is discussed. The Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is elected by the internal members of Rajya Sabha. A brief detail has been explained in the further discussion on the duties and roles of the deputy chairman and the selection process of the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. 

Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman 

The Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is the position that acts in the vacancy of the chairman and is accountable to the parliament of India. The position of the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman was formed on 31st May 1952. The current deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha is Harivansh N Singh.The official duration of the position lasts for 6 years and the seat of the deputy chairman is located at Parliament House, New Delhi.

How is the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman elected?

Every five years the selection process takes place to elect the next deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha.The election process is performed by the  members of Rajya Sabha. The selection process of the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is conducted through different steps as mentioned below:

In the very first step, the date of the election is decided mostly by the chairperson of Rajya Sabha on his own or with his consent. After the date has been fixed by the chairperson of Rajya Sabha, the next duty is the general secretary sends a notice mentioning the election date to every panel member.

In the next step before the due date of the election, any panel member can serve a notice addressing the secretary-general proposing the nomination that can be any other member of the same panel as the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. The proposer must submit the nomination name a day before the date of the election before noon time.

After serving the notice period, the notice needs the support of one third member of the panel. According to the guidelines the notice must include the consideration statement of the nominated member proposing that the member is willing to perform the role as a Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman if selected.Here is the condition provided that a member cannot serve another or second nomination proposal. 

After the nomination is proposed against the members, any member from the nomination that holds an offer standing on the business listing may or may not be moved if called upon. It is provided that he may confine himself to a single statement. 

The motions that are already moved and appropriately seconded will be placed according to the order one after one, the same as they were moved. Here the department can also decide the order if required. If any proposal is raised afterward, the presiding person will declare the member as the elected person as the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. In this process, the presiding person can proceed without considering the proposal made afterward. 

This process concludes by selecting the deputy chairman for the next six years. 

Who is the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman 

The person elected as the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is a member of Rajya Sabha. In this context, the deputy chairman is directly responsible for the Rajya Sabha and not a subordinate of the chairman. 

Responsibilities of Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman 

The Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is responsible to perform under the constitution of the council as per the rule. In this context, the deputy chairman is eligible to preside over the session of council. Along with that, the deputy chairman is also intended to act on behalf of all the references of the chairman. 

The Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman provides all the office services in the absence of the chairman or when the chairman’s office is vacant. Apart from this, the deputy chairman also performs when the vice president is on act instead of the president due to any absence. 

These are the basic roles of the deputy chairman, other than that some basic responsibility of the deputy chairman is to sustain his membership on the nominations committee, also being a member of the chairman’s group, and to govern the remuneration committee. 

Conclusion

While preparing for the polity, there are several terms against different positions available in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Hence it is important to understand every term with their respective position in the parliament to justify their job role. In the study, the basic responsibility of the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman has been mentioned that will help the preparation of polity. Along with that, the difference between the vice chairman and deputy chairman also has been discussed. The study also describes the detailed process of how the Rajya Sabha’s deputy chairman is elected for better understanding