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What is Article 178 of indian constitution

 

📜 Article 178 of the Indian Constitution

Title: The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly


🔹 Text Summary of Article 178:

“Every Legislative Assembly of a State shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the Assembly to be respectively the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.”


📌 Key Provisions:

Provision Details
Election The Legislative Assembly must elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its own members as early as possible after the Assembly is constituted.
Presiding Officers These officers preside over the Assembly sessions and ensure orderly conduct of legislative business.
No Specific Time Limit The Constitution does not set a strict timeline, but it's expected to be done soon after formation of the Assembly.

🧠 Key Roles of the Speaker:

  • Presides over Assembly meetings.

  • Maintains discipline and decorum.

  • Decides on points of order.

  • Certifies money bills.

  • Decides on disqualification under Anti-defection Law (Tenth Schedule).


🔁 Deputy Speaker:

  • Takes over when the Speaker is absent or position is vacant.

  • Elected by Assembly in the same manner as the Speaker.


⚖️ Related Articles:

Article Subject
179 Vacation/resignation/removal of Speaker/Deputy Speaker
93 Similar provision for Lok Sabha (Speaker/Deputy Speaker)
180 Duties of Deputy Speaker when Speaker is absent

🏛️ Real-World Relevance:

The Speaker plays a critical role in ensuring the neutrality and functioning of the Assembly, especially during:

  • Budget sessions

  • Confidence votes

  • Disputes under the Anti-defection Law