New Delhi (IANS): The Lok Sabha reconvened on Wednesday under a cloud of intense political friction as the Opposition continued to mount a heavy campaign of sloganeering. In a significant procedural shift, Speaker Om Birla has reportedly decided to stay away from House proceedings until a decision is reached on the motion to remove him, which sources suggest may be formally addressed on March 9.
In his absence, P.C. Mohan presided over a turbulent Question Hour, where disruptions persisted even as Union Minister Pralhad Joshi detailed the allocation of over ₹22,000 crore for Phase-1 and Phase-2 of the Green Energy Corridor project. With the House set for a mid-session recess on February 13, the atmosphere remains charged as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to weigh in on the ongoing Union Budget discussions.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi mentioned that the Modi government has allocated Rs 10,000 crore under the Green Corridor Phase-1 project, while around Rs 12,000 crore has been allocated under the Green Corridor Phase-2 project.
He added that the Green Energy Corridor Phase-1 is under implementation in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and power evacuation of about 24 GW of RE.
GEC Phase II, according to Joshi, will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation of about 20 GW of renewable energy (RE) projects in Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, according to sources, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has decided not to attend House proceedings until discussion and a decision are taken on the motion seeking his removal. The issue may be taken up on March 9, the first day of the second part of the Budget Session, when the House could consider initiating discussion on the no-confidence motion, sources added.
The Budget Session, which commenced on January 28, includes 30 meetings spread over 65 days and is set to end on April 2. Both Houses will take a break for recess on February 13 and will resume their sessions on March 9 to allow the Standing Committees to review the Demands for Grants from different ministries and departments.
