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The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the vice-presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. S/He acts as the presiding officer in case of leave or absence caused by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It is by convention that position of Deputy Speaker is offered to opposition party in India. M Thambidurai was unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 16th Lok Saba.
The Deputy Speaker is elected in the very first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections for a term of 5 years from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha. S/He holds office till either s/he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha or s/he himself resigns. S/He can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by a majority of its members. S/He is supposed to resign from his/her original party because as a Deputy Speaker, s/he has to remain impartial.
Powers and functions of the Deputy Speaker
In case of the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the sessions of the Lok Sabha and conducts the business in the house. He decides whether a bill is a money bill or a non-money bill. S/He maintains discipline and decorum in the house and can punish a member for unruly behaviour by suspending him/her. S/He permits the moving of various kinds of motions and resolutions like the motion of no confidence, motion of adjournment, motion of censure and calling attention notice.