Page 36 - Parliament of India

The Speaker decides on the admissibility of notices of questions, motions,
resolutions, bills, amendments etc. and no business may be brought up before
the House without his consent. He possesses the power to convert a starred
question {i.e., one for oral answer) into an unstarred question (i.e., one for
written answer) and to select the amendments to be placed before the House. He
regulates the debates and proceedings of the House. He is charged with the
maintenance of order in the House and enforces the observance of rules by the
members. He may direct any member guilty of disorderly conduct to withdraw
from the House and name him for wilful disregard of the authority of the Chair
or obstruction of the proceedings. He may also adjourn or suspend the business
of the House in case of grave disorder.
The Speaker is in supreme control of all Parliamentary Committees. He
appoints their Chairmen and issues such directions to them as he may consider
necessary pertaining to the organisation of work or the procedure to be followed
by them. Committees like the Business Advisory Committee, the General
Purposes Committee and the Rules Committee work directly under his Chairman­
ship.
In sum, the Speaker represents the dignity of the House, the freedom of the
House and because the House represents the nation, in a particular way, the
Speaker becomes the symbol of the nation's freedom and liberty.
SESSIONS
Normally three sessions are held in a year : (i) Budget Session (February—
May); (ti) Autumn Session (July—August); and (iii) Winter Session
(November—■December).
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS
The Constitution enjoins that the President shall address both the Houses of
Parliament assembled together, at the commencement of the first session after
each General Election to Lok Sabha and also at the commencement of the first
session of each year and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons. The
Address contains a review of the activities and achievements of the Government
during the previous year and their policy with regard to important internal and
current international problems, besides a brief account of the programme of
Government business for the Session.
The ceremonial attending the President's Address is solemn and colourful.
Escorted by his bright liveried mounted bodyguards the President arrives in his
State Coach at the Parliament House where he is received at the gate by the
Presiding Officers and Secretaries-General of both Houses and conducted in a
formal procession to the high-domed Central Hall of Parliament. As the
procession enters the Hall, the Members rise in their places and the President is

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