'Flawed' No-Confidence Notice Against Om Birla To Be Rectified After Speaker Orders Changes: Report

New Delhi: "Flaws" have been found in the notice submitted by opposition MPs seeking to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from office, with Birla directing the secretariat to amend the "defective" notice to prevent it from being rejected, Lok Sabha sources as quoted by PTI said on Wednesday (February 11). 118 opposition MPs had signed the notice submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh on Tuesday afternoon. Later, the opposition withdrew the notice and replaced it with a corrected version addressing the date errors.Lok Sabha sources as quoted by PTI said four instances of wrong dates were found in the original notice, which could have led to its dismissal under the rules.However, Birla directed the Lok Sabha secretariat to get

the defective notice amended and take action. "Birla ordered prompt action as per the rules," a functionary said.

No-Confidence Motion

The revised notice is expected to be listed after the start of the second phase of the Budget session from March 9. Sources as per PTI said a speedy review will be conducted once the corrected notice is received.Opposition parties moved to oust Birla, alleging that he had acted in a "blatantly partisan" manner in the House, prompting him to step aside from chairing proceedings until the matter is settled.Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, chief whip K Suresh, and whip Mohamed Jawed submitted the notice under Article 94C of the Constitution on behalf of several opposition parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and DMK.

Speaker’s Role and Rights

Lok Sabha secretariat officials said Birla, upholding the highest standards of morality, has decided not to sit in the Speaker’s chair until the no-confidence motion is resolved.The motion is likely to be taken up on March 9, when the House reassembles after the recess to examine budgetary proposals.Article 94C of the Constitution provides for the removal of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Article 96 allows the Speaker to defend himself or herself in the House. The Speaker can cast a vote when the motion for removal is moved but cannot vote in the case of a tie.