The Panel of Chairpersons in the Lok Sabha can consist of up to how many members nominated by the Speaker?

Under the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates from among the members a panel of not more than ten Chairpersons.

Role of the panel:

• Any member of the panel can preside over the House in the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
• When presiding, the member has the same powers as the Speaker.
• Members of the panel usually preside during long debates or late sittings.

Term of the panel:

Members of the panel hold office until a new panel is nominated.

Limitations:

A member of the panel cannot preside over the House when the office of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker is vacant; in that case other arrangements laid down in the Constitution apply.

Composition:

• The panel is usually made up of senior members from different parties, including the opposition.
• This helps maintain the impartiality of the chair and gives experience to senior members.

Equivalent in the Rajya Sabha:

• The Rajya Sabha has a panel of Vice-Chairpersons, nominated by the Chairman.
• Members of this panel preside over the House when the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent.

Presiding officers of the Lok Sabha:

• The Speaker is the main presiding officer and is elected by the House.
• The Deputy Speaker is also elected by the House and presides when the Speaker is absent.
• Historically, the office of Deputy Speaker has often been given to a member of the opposition, though this is a convention and not a rule.

The importance of an impartial chair:

• The presiding officer must ensure that all members get a fair chance to speak.
• The presiding officer interprets the rules of the House and maintains order.

Why not the other options?

• ✗5, 6 and 12 are not the maximum number of members on the Panel of Chairpersons.