New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday resumed his duties and said his actions in the House are impartial, a day after the opposition’s no-confidence motion was defeated.
Birla said some members believe they are above the Lok Sabha and can speak on any matter, but stressed that no MP has any special privilege of that kind. He underlined that the House functions strictly under its rules and procedures.
He noted that even the Prime Minister and ministers must give notice under the rules to make statements in the House. Birla also rejected claims about controlling microphones, saying the Speaker does not have a button to switch microphones on or off.
According to him, microphones are activated only for members who are permitted to speak, and he makes continuous efforts to ensure every MP gets an opportunity within the framework of rules. He added that the Lok Sabha’s debate on the no-confidence motion was only the third such discussion in independent India’s history.
