The North News
New Delhi, March 12
Om Birla has said that proceedings in the Lok Sabha will continue to be conducted strictly according to established rules, a day after a motion seeking his removal from the post was defeated.
Addressing the House on Thursday, Birla said the Speaker’s chair represented the dignity of Parliament and did not belong to any individual.
“The House has been running with rules and regulations and will continue to function in the future, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member or not,” he said, adding that he would carry out his duties with “sincerity and impartiality”.
Members of the treasury benches thumped their desks in support during his remarks.
Birla also thanked MPs for expressing their views during the debate on the no-confidence motion against him, including those who spoke both in favour and against him.
The Speaker returned to preside over proceedings for the first time since the notice of the motion was submitted during the first phase of Parliament’s Budget session, which concluded on 13 February. The second phase began on 9 March.
During the debate, some opposition members had argued that the Rahul Gandhi was not being given enough opportunities to speak in the House.
Responding to those concerns, Birla said all members had the right to speak but only in accordance with parliamentary rules.
“No member — not even the prime minister or any minister — can speak without the permission of the Chair,” he said, adding that MPs could speak only when allowed by the presiding officer.
Mr Birla also rejected claims that microphones were deliberately switched off when certain members tried to speak.
“I do not have a switch to turn microphones on or off,” he said, explaining that microphones are activated only when the Chair grants permission to a member to address the House.
Soon after his remarks, the Speaker adjourned the House until 2pm.
With PTI Inputs
