Vice-President

Vice-President

On the pattern of the Constitution of USA, the Indian Constitution provides for the office of the Vice-President of India (Article 63). The Vice-President of India occupies the second highest office in the country.

Election

The Vice-President of India is elected by the elected members of both Houses of Parliament by secret ballot on the basis of proportional representation system, by means of the single transferable vote.

Qualification

TO be eligible for election to the office of Vice-President, (a) candidate must be a citizen of India, (b) must have completed the age of thirty five years, (c) must be eligible for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and (d) must not hold any office of profit. In this connection provisions similar to those relating to the President apply.

Terms of Office

The Vice-President is elected for a term of five years. He can voluntarily resign from his office before the completion of his term of office by writing to the President. He may also be removed from his office, if a resolution to that effect is passed by the Rajya Sabha by an absolute majority of its members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha. However fourteen days have to be given to move such resolution.

Functions and Duties

The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64 of the Indian Constitution). He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha. As the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, his functions and powers are similar to those of the speaker of Lok Sabha. He draws his salary as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha because the Vice -President`s office itself carries no salary. In the event of occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the President by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, the Vice-President shall act as President until a new President is elected. This period shall not exceed six months. While acting as President the Vice-President gets salary, allowance, emoluments etc., as may be fixed by Parliament by law, and during that time he does not perform the duties of the chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Assignment

Articles 63 to 70 of the Indian Constitution deal with `Vice-President` Make a presentation on the above.