What is the significance of the role of the Speaker in the Indian Parliament

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in the Indian Parliament. Some key responsibilities and powers of the Speaker include:

• Presiding over the sessions, maintaining order, and upholding parliamentary rules and regulations.
• Deciding who may speak during debates and ensuring fair participation from all members.
• Interpreting and applying parliamentary rules impartially.
• Representing the House in its external relations, both domestically and internationally.
• Granting permissions for various parliamentary procedures, such as introducing bills and raising parliamentary questions.
• Acting as the guardian of parliamentary privileges and ensuring the integrity of parliamentary proceedings.

The Speaker’s impartiality and authority are crucial for the smooth functioning of the Parliament.