Article 91 of Indian Constitution: Power of the Deputy Chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman

Article 91 of the Indian Constitution deals with the power and authority of the Deputy Chairman or any other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which is the upper house of the Parliament of India.

The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in the Indian political system and is responsible for representing the interests of the states and union territories of India. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the presiding officer and is responsible for maintaining decorum and conducting the proceedings of the house. However, in the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman or any other person designated by the Chairman assumes the responsibility of performing the duties of the office.

Article 91 states that if the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the Deputy Chairman shall perform the duties of the office of the Chairman. If the Deputy Chairman is also absent or unable to perform the duties, the Rajya Sabha may choose any other member present to act as the Chairman for the time being.

This provision ensures that there is continuity in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha even in the absence of the Chairman. It allows for the smooth conduct of business and ensures that the interests of the states and union territories are represented effectively.

The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected by the members of the house and holds office until a new Deputy Chairman is elected. The Deputy Chairman is responsible for assisting the Chairman in the conduct of the proceedings and maintaining order in the house. In the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman assumes the role of the presiding officer and exercises the powers and functions of the Chairman.

It is important to note that the Deputy Chairman or any other person acting as the Chairman has the same powers and privileges as the Chairman. They have the authority to regulate the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha, maintain order, and take disciplinary action against members who violate the rules of the house.

Article 91 also empowers the Deputy Chairman or any other person acting as the Chairman to exercise the casting vote in case of a tie. This means that if there is an equal number of votes in favor and against a particular motion, the Deputy Chairman or the person acting as the Chairman can cast the deciding vote to break the tie.

The provision of Article 91 ensures that the functioning of the Rajya Sabha is not hindered in the absence of the Chairman. It allows for the smooth conduct of business and ensures that the interests of the states and union territories are adequately represented. The power and authority vested in the Deputy Chairman or any other person acting as the Chairman help maintain order and discipline in the house and facilitate effective decision-making.

In conclusion, Article 91 of the Indian Constitution grants the Deputy Chairman or any other person designated by the Chairman the power and authority to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This provision ensures continuity in the functioning of the house and enables the smooth conduct of business even in the absence of the Chairman. The Deputy Chairman or any other person acting as the Chairman exercises the same powers and privileges as the Chairman and plays a crucial role in maintaining order and facilitating effective decision-making in the Rajya Sabha.