The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is a key figure in the Indian political system, tasked with overseeing the functioning of the upper house of Parliament. In this article, we will explore the role of the Deputy Chairman, their duties and responsibilities, and the challenges they face.
Who is the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected by members of the upper house from amongst themselves. The current Deputy Chairman is Harivansh Narayan Singh, who was elected to the post in 2018. A seasoned journalist and politician, Singh has been an important figure in Indian politics for many years, and is known for his commitment to parliamentary democracy.
Duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
He plays a crucial role in the functioning of the upper house of Parliament. They preside over the house in the absence of the Chairman, and are responsible for maintaining order and decorum during parliamentary proceedings. In addition to these duties, the Deputy Chairman also performs a number of administrative functions, including the appointment of officers and staff of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, and the allocation of time for debate on various bills and motions.
Role
He is an important figure in the Indian political system, serving as a neutral arbiter of parliamentary proceedings. Unlike the Chairman, who is a political appointee, he is elected by members of the Rajya Sabha, and is expected to maintain political neutrality at all times. In this way, the Deputy Chairman plays a key role in upholding the principles of parliamentary democracy and ensuring that the upper house of Parliament functions in an impartial and efficient manner.
Challenges
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha faces a number of challenges in their role, including the need to maintain political neutrality in the face of strong political pressures. Additionally, the Deputy Chairman must be able to balance the competing interests of various political parties and ensure that all members of the Rajya Sabha are able to participate fully in parliamentary proceedings. Finally, the Deputy Chairman must be able to handle the day-to-day administrative functions of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, which can be a challenging task given the complexity and scale of the institution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is a key figure in the Indian political system, responsible for overseeing the functioning of the upper house of Parliament. The Deputy Chairman plays a crucial role in maintaining order and decorum during parliamentary proceedings, and in upholding the principles of parliamentary democracy. While the role of the Deputy Chairman comes with its fair share of challenges, it remains an important and prestigious post in Indian politics, and one that is critical to the functioning of the country’s democratic institutions.
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