New Delhi: Under attack within and
outside the government for his aggressiveness on green issues,
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he was "not
sniffing around for a big guy to catch" and his actions were
in response to the representations from various organisations.
"I can challenge my critics to point out one example
that I have taken (decision) my own. Even Adarsh was in
response to a demand from a section of society. I have not
taken single action of my own. I am not sniffing around for a
big guy to catch. That is not the approach I have taken," he
told reporters here.
Admitting that there is a profound misunderstanding of
what triggered his action, Ramesh said, "My actions are not
suo motu actions. My actions are response to the
representations I receive from different organisations."
Interacting with media after addressing a conference
on `Environmental Governance and Climate Regime`, organised by
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ramesh said his
purpose "is to alleviate fears and concerns of industry that
environment is becoming a constraint to industrial growth".
The minister said he would also participate in a
function to be organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on January 24 to alleviate
concerns of the industry.
"I dont believe that environment is going to become a
constraint. It is important to address their concerns and
fear," he said.
"Most of the problems of Indian industry are relating
to forest clearances, and most of them are really in the
mining sector. I am trying to address them. We will try to
find the way to address these concerns, fears, the anxieties
the people have that environment has become a barrier to
faster industrial growth and industrial expansion," he said.
Ramesh, however, maintained that he was playing
according the rules of the game.
Referring to the Green Laws enacted by Parliament that
empowers him to take action against the violators, the
minister said, "There is no question of diluting these laws... No
question of abandoning these laws. But within the framework of
these laws, can we be more accommodative of the concerns that
the industry have."
PTI
