Rajya Sabha Chairman No-Confidence Motion: The resolution must secure voting by a majority of the total members of the House for passage.
The opposition parties led by Congress on Tuesday moved a no-confidence motion against Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, making it the first such action in the history of Indian Parliament.
INDIA parties alleged that the Rajya Sabha Chairman has shown “biased” treatment of the treasury benches, sidelining their demands. They claimed that the chair has favoured the ruling party during House proceedings and stifled their voice.
Both the Houses of Parliament- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha- have witnessed regular disruption since the beginning of the winter season. While the BJP upped the ante against Congress leadership for their alleged connection with “anti-India” George Soros, the grand old party continued its tirade against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over several issues.
Though the no-confidence motion is expected to be defeated given the strength of MPs from the ruling and opposition sides, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced that the motion had been submitted to the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the opposition was compelled to take this step in the “interest of parliamentary democracy.”
As a no-confidence motion has been submitted against the Vice President, let’s delve into the constitutional provisions and the steps involved in the process.
RS Chairman Role & Steps For Removal
The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, tasked with presiding over the House and ensuring order in proceedings. The term of the Vice President lasts for five years but they can be re-elected.
Constitutionally, Article 67(b) deals with the framework for the removal of the Vice President from office. A resolution must be passed by the Rajya Sabha and it must get Lok Sabha’s nod to effect removal.
Grounds For Removal Of RS Chairman
The Constitution doesn’t outline any specific grounds for the removal of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and leaves it to the discretion of the members of Parliament.
A 14-day notice is mandatory before moving a resolution for the removal of the Chair, akin to the notice period an employee is required to serve in professional workplaces before leaving a firm.
The notice must clearly mention the intention of the parliamentarian behind moving the resolution against the Vice President. It must outline the reasons.