Which of the following is/are true?

1) Chairman is elected by the Legislative Council from amongst its members.

2) The Legislative Assembly as well as council elects the Chairman.

a. Only 1

b. Only 2

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

Chairman of Council

The Chairman is elected by the council itself from amongst its members.

The Chairman vacates his office in any of the below 3 cases -

(a) if he ceases to be a member of the council;

(b) if he resigns by writing to the deputy chairman; and

(c) if he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the council. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice.

As a presiding officer, the powers and functions of the Chairman in the council are similar to those of the Speaker in the assembly.

But, the Speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not and his decision on this is final.

The salaries and allowances of the Chairman are also fixed by the state legislature and are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State.

They are not subject to the annual vote of the State Legislature.

Deputy Chairman of Council -

Like the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman is also elected by the council itself from amongst its members.

The deputy chairman vacates his office in any of the 3 cases -

(a) if he ceases to be a member of the council;

(b) if he resigns by writing to the Chairman; and

(c) if he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the council. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice.

The Deputy Chairman performs the duties of the Chairman’s office when it is vacant or when Chairman is absent from the sitting of the council.

In both the cases, he has all the powers of the Chairman.

The Chairman nominates from amongst the members a panel of Vice-Chairmen.

Any one of them can preside over the council in the absence of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman.

He has the same powers as the chairman when so presiding. He holds office until a new panel of Vice-Chairmen is nominated.