The speaker is endowed with a wide range of powers. His powers are:
1. To see that there is decorum and discipline in the House.
2. To decide who shall hold the floor and speak in deliberations of the House.
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3. To safeguard the rights and privileges of the members of the House.
4. To put the motion of the vote to announce the result. He does not vote but in case of a tie, he casts his vote.
5. To act as administrative head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
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6. To accept resignations sent by members of Lok Sabha.
7. To protect the House from unnecessary executive intrusion.
8. To allot time for each item on the agenda of the House.
Some of his special powers are
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9. To certify whether a particular Bill is a money Bill or not (Article 110).
10. To preside over joint sitting of both the houses of the Parliament.
11. To admit a vote of no-confidence against the Government.
Position:
In early days the speakers like G.V. Mavalankar (first speaker of Independent India) and M.A.S. Ayangar were highly respected for their act. But, of late party politics is crawling into his office and severely damaged its prestige and honour.
Recurring instances of ex-speakers being offered highly prestigious and ceremonial positions has maligned the stature of speaker’s position. If Parliamentary democracy is to survive and continue with vigour, speakers need to shed complacency. He needs to be impartial in conducting affairs of the House, as his British counterpart.
Besides speaker there is a deputy speaker (usually from opposition party) who presides in the absence of speaker.