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'''Western Ghats''': Ramesh said "the Western Ghat has to be made an "ecologically sensitive zone". It is as important as the ecological system of the Himalayas for protection of the environment and climate of the country. The Central government will not give sanction for mining and hydroelectric projects proposed by the State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa that will destroy the Western Ghats [[eco-system]].’’<ref name="wg">{{cite news|url=http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article52465.ece|title=No clearance for mining, hydel projects that destroy Western Ghat: Ramesh|last=staff|date=11-21-2009|work=The Hindu, NEWS » STATES » KERALA|publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd|accessdate=29 December 2009|location=Palakkad}}</ref>
'''Western Ghats''': Ramesh said "the Western Ghat has to be made an "ecologically sensitive zone". It is as important as the ecological system of the Himalayas for protection of the environment and climate of the country. The Central government will not give sanction for mining and hydroelectric projects proposed by the State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa that will destroy the Western Ghats [[eco-system]].’’<ref name="wg">{{cite news|url=http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article52465.ece|title=No clearance for mining, hydel projects that destroy Western Ghat: Ramesh|last=staff|date=11-21-2009|work=The Hindu, NEWS » STATES » KERALA|publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd|accessdate=29 December 2009|location=Palakkad}}</ref>

'''India-based Neutrino Observatory''':On November 20, 2009, Mr. Ramesh denied permission for the Department of Atomic Energy to set up the [[India-based Neutrino Observatory]] (INO) project at Singara in [[Nilgiri Hills]], as it falls in the buffer zone of the [[Mudumalai Tiger Reserve]] (MTR) and is in close proximity to the critical core tiger habitats of Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger reserves. It is also an [[Wildlife corridor|elephant corridor]], facilitating elephant movement between the [[Western Ghats]] and the [[Eastern Ghats]]. The area is already disturbed by human settlements and resorts and the construction phase of the project would involve further disruption by highway transport of building materials through the core area of the [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]] and Mudmulai Tiger Reserves.<ref name="Ramachandran">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/21/stories/2009112154952000.htm|title=Ministry’s ‘no’ to Neutrino Observatory project in Nilgiris |last=Ramachandran|first=R. |date=11-21-2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd|pages=Front Page|accessdate=09 December 2009|location=Chennai}}</ref> </p></blockquote>
Instead, he suggested an alternate site near [[Suruli Falls]], [[Theni District]] in Tamil Nadu. The Minister said this site did not pose the same problems that Singara posed and environmental and forest clearances should not be a serious issue. He also assured the DAE that the Ministry would facilitate necessary approvals for the alternative location.

Dr. Naba K. Mondal of the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]], who is the spokesperson for the INO project said:
<blockquote><p>“But Suruliyar too is in a reserved forest area that is dense and would require cutting down of trees, something that was not required at Singara. Can the government assure us that forest clearance for this site will be given,” he asks. “Alternatively, we can move to the nearby Thevaram, which is about 20-30 km away from the Suruliyar falls. This forest area has only shrubs but there is no source of water here and water will have to be piped over a distance of 30 km,” <ref name="Ramachandran"/><ref name="mad">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/217536/Centre-no-to-neutrino-observatory-in-Nilgiris.html|title=Centre no to neutrino observatory in Nilgiris ||last=Madhusudan |first= M. |date=11-22-2009|work=Sunday Pioneer|publisher=Pioneer Syndication Services|accessdate=09 December 2009|location= New Delhi}}</ref>
</p></blockquote>.


==Journalism==
==Journalism==

Revision as of 23:25, 29 December 2009

Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh, 2009
Member of Parliment (Rajya Sabha), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests
In office
2004 - 2016
Preceded byManmohan Singh
ConstituencyAdilabad, Andhra Pradesh
Personal details
Born (1954-04-09) 9 April 1954 (age 70)
Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Political partyIndian National Congress
SpouseJayashree Jairam
Childrensons: Anirudh and Pradyumna
ResidenceNew Delhi
Salary500
WebsiteJairam Ramesh
As of January 25, 2007
Source: [1]

Jairam Ramesh has been an elected member of the Indian Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha since June 2004. He has been the Indian Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests since May, 2009. He is also a member of the National Advisory Council. From January 2006 to February, 2009, he was the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and from April 2008 to February, 2009 was also the Minister of State for Power in the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.[2] [3].

Family

Jairam Ramesh is the son of Prof. C.K. Ramesh, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay and Shrimati Sridevi Rameshat, daughter of former IAS officer K.V. Ramanathan. He was born on 9 April 1954 at his grandfather’s coffee plantation in Chikmagalur in Karnataka. He was raised in Bombay. His widowed mother now lives in Bangalore.[4]

He married a Tamilian lady, K. R. Jayashree, on 26 January 1981. They have two sons, Anirudh and Pradyumna, both studying law, one at Oxford, one at Hyderabad. He and his wife currently reside at Lodi Gardens, Rajesh Pilot Marg, in New Delhi. Their permanent residence is at Khairatabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.[5][4]

Education

He entered the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), Mumbai in 1970. He initially hated it, but in his second year, he discovered the American economist Paul Samuelson, wrote to Swedish economist Gunnar Myrdal and hero-worshipped the Indian physicist and rocket scientist Vikram Sarabhai for marrying science to a larger social calling. It was all mentally elevating. He graduated with B. tech. in mechanical engineering from IIT-B in 1975. In 2001, IIT-B presented him with their Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Between 1975-77 he studied at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College. and recieved a Master of Science in Management and public policy. In 1977-78, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology he studied technology policy, economics, engineering and management as part of the newly-established inter-disciplinary technology policy programme.[2][4]He has not mentioned any degree earned there.

Career

Jairam Ramesh joined the World Bank for a short assignement in 1978. He returned to India and worked as assistant to economist Lovraj Kumar. Soon he was entrusted with numerous high level ministerial assignments in the Planning Commission, Ministry of Industry and other economic departments of the Central Government, including: analyzing energy policy during 1983-85, reorganizing the CSIR in 1986 and implementing technology missions during 1987-89.


In 1990 he worked as an IAS"Officer on Special Duty" during theNational Front administration of the V.P. Singh government. He reorganized India's international trade agencies in 1990 and was advisor to the Prime Minister in 1991. In 1991 he became a key fixture in Manmohan Singh’s finance ministry in the Narasimha Rao administration.

Ramesh was active in formulating and implementing India's economic reforms in 1991 and 1997. He was advisor to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission 1992-94, served on special mission to Jammu and Kashmir during 1993-95 and was advisor to the Finance Minister during 1996-98. The present central government invited him to join the official delegation to the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999.[2]

Ramesh bided his time after the Congress Party lost the 1989 elections and resurfaced in 1991 to provide intellectual inputs into Rajiv Gandhi's election campaign. In recent years he has advised Sonia Gandhi, leader of the Congress party.

As recognition of his contributions to development, Ramesh served from 2000-2002 as Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, Government of Karnataka and on the Economic Advisory Council of Andhra Pradesh. He also served on the eminent persons group of the Union Ministry of Power and other key government committees.

Ramesh has also served as Secretary in the AICC, Deputy Chairman of the Karnataka Planning Board (2000-2002), member of the RajasthanDevelopment Council (1999-2003), and Economic Advisor to the government of the state ofChhattisgarh (2001-03).[2] He participated in Congress's electoral strategy team for the 2004 Lok Sabha cycle. He was elected in June, 2004 to represent Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha. Following the formation of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004, he joined the National Advisory Council, where he helped put together UPA's National Common Minimum Program. From Aug. 2004 - Jan. 2006 he was a member of three committees of Parliament: the Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Committee on Finance and the Committee on Government Assurances and was a member of the Court of the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Jairam Ramesh With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during a multilateral meeting of U.S. President Barack Obama with Singh and the other leaders of the BASIC Bloc: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and South African President Jacob Zuma during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Dec. 18, 2009

In February, 2009, with the 15th Lok Sabha elections approaching, he was tapped to lead the party's Poll Strategy Panel. At that time he resigned his posts as Minister of State for Commerce and Power and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry.

Following his 2009 re-election to the Indian Parliament, on 28 May 2009 Ramesh was given independent charge of Environment and Forests as Minister of State in the Congress-led administration. He represented India at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 to 18 December 2009.[6]


Mr. Ramesh is among the 19 member Foundation Day committee of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), under the chairmanship of party president Sonia Gandhi, for planning the 2010 year-long celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the Congress Party.[7]

He is a founding member of the Indian School of Business promoted by McKinsey in Hyderabad and is a member of the International Council of the New York-based Asia Society. Ramesh has a special interest in China and has been an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi since 2002.[2]

Policy

Since becoming MP, Jairam Ramesh has been outspoken in his public support or disapproval of policy issues he is concerned about. Recent issues drawing media attention to him include:

Global Warming: Prior to going to Copenhagen, Mr. Ramesh said that India was the “most vulnerable” nation due to impacts of climate change. When later informing the Rajya Sabha on the outcome of the Climate Summit, Jairam Ramesh admitted that the government had digressed from its pre-Copenhagen assurance by allowing provision for "international consultation and analysis" rather than just informing the UNFCCC about domestic mitigation programmes.[6]

On Dec. 23, 2009, Mr Ramesh said: “We must soon unveil a detailed road map for a low-carbon strategy.” India has committed itself to reducing its carbon emissions 20-25 per cent below the 2005 levels by 2020.[8]

Industrial Pollution: On Dec. 24, 2009 Jairam Ramesh, recommended a moratorium on new units at the 43 highly polluted industrial areas in the country. He said, “We need to take some tough decisions and we should put on hold new approvals in these areas until the situation is brought under control.” He will approach the Finance Minister so that a separate fund is announced in the next budget for reducing pollution. [9]

Fuel Efficiency: In November, 2009, Mr. Ramesh said, "Auto manufacturers would have to sell vehicles with mandatory energy efficiency tags by 2011, and the information on the labels would have to be certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The government is in the final stages of notifying the fuel efficiency standards, and was looking at how these standards could be notified either through the Energy Conservation Act or the Motor Vehicles Act. "[10]

Gundia Hydel Project: In a letter dated June 20, 2009, Mr. Ramesh said, “the (proposed) Gundia hydel project of Karnataka Power Corporation in Hassan district is going to drown almost 1,900 acres of thick forest in the already endangered Western Ghats along with all its fauna. This is something that both Karnataka and our country can ill-afford”. "Power generation should not happen at the cost of ecological security." he added. The Expert Appraisal Committee appointed by Union Government also said that the project should not be taken up.[11]

River-Linking : Mr. Ramesh has asked the Centre to review the Ken-Betwa river-linking project in Madhya Pradesh in view of the ecological implications. He suggested that it "may be revised" to exclude the tiger reserve area falling within its purview. The project encompasses a considerable forest area falling within the notified core/critical tiger habitat of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. "The proposal, if implemented, would involve construction of a large dam spread over 1.5 km besides the supporting infrastructure and powerhouses. This would cause considerable disturbance to the core/critical habitat of the tiger reserve which is required to be kept "inviolate" for tiger and other wild animals as per the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972." Mr. Ramesh said.[12]

Tiger Reserves: On Dec. 8, 2009 Mr. Ramesh said, "Seventeen of India’s 38 tiger reserves were in a “precarious” condition and a task force has been set up to give recommendations for improvement." " a Wildlife Conservation and Management Amendment Bill would be introduced in the next budget session to ensure stringent penalty measures against the law breakers.The bill will have punishment measures equivalent to the money laundering and foreign exchange law,” he added.[13]

Bhopal Tragedy:

Orissa Mining: Mr. Ramesh asked the Orissa administration to explain how the violation of Bauxite mining guidelines was permitted when it was clear that “in-principle” approval granted for bauxite mining projects in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts on February 26, 2009 under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (with Amendments Made in 1988) should be converted into final approval, only after fulfilment of stipulations, before any activity was undertaken.

Acting on representations received by the Ministry since August this year on Vedanta Resources plc mining activity without final approval, Mr. Ramesh asked the Conservator of Forests (Bhubaneswar) to investigate the complaints and he found them to be correct. The total area of forest land proposed to be diverted in the two districts of Orissa is 660.749 hectares, of which 353.14 hectares is in the Niyamgiri forests. Concerns have been raised on the impact of this project on the livelihoods of Kondha tribal communities.[14]

Western Ghats: Ramesh said "the Western Ghat has to be made an "ecologically sensitive zone". It is as important as the ecological system of the Himalayas for protection of the environment and climate of the country. The Central government will not give sanction for mining and hydroelectric projects proposed by the State Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa that will destroy the Western Ghats eco-system.’’[15]

India-based Neutrino Observatory:On November 20, 2009, Mr. Ramesh denied permission for the Department of Atomic Energy to set up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project at Singara in Nilgiri Hills, as it falls in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and is in close proximity to the critical core tiger habitats of Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger reserves. It is also an elephant corridor, facilitating elephant movement between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. The area is already disturbed by human settlements and resorts and the construction phase of the project would involve further disruption by highway transport of building materials through the core area of the Bandipur and Mudmulai Tiger Reserves.[16]

Instead, he suggested an alternate site near Suruli Falls, Theni District in Tamil Nadu. The Minister said this site did not pose the same problems that Singara posed and environmental and forest clearances should not be a serious issue. He also assured the DAE that the Ministry would facilitate necessary approvals for the alternative location.

Dr. Naba K. Mondal of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, who is the spokesperson for the INO project said:

“But Suruliyar too is in a reserved forest area that is dense and would require cutting down of trees, something that was not required at Singara. Can the government assure us that forest clearance for this site will be given,” he asks. “Alternatively, we can move to the nearby Thevaram, which is about 20-30 km away from the Suruliyar falls. This forest area has only shrubs but there is no source of water here and water will have to be piped over a distance of 30 km,” [16][17]

.

Journalism

File:Jairam.jpg

He has been a columnist for the Business Standard, Business Today, The Telegraph, Times of India and India Today, sometimes under the pen-name "Kautilya". He is the author of the books: Mobilising Technology for World Development (Co-editor, 1979), Making Sense of Chindia: Reflections on China and India (2005)[18] and Kautilya today - Jairam Ramesh on a globalizing India (2002).[19] He has also anchored a number of popular television programmes on business and the economy including Business Breakfast and Crossfire.

References

  1. ^ Hindu Pundamentalist
  2. ^ a b c d e Ramesh, Jairam (2001). "Profile". Website of Jairam Ramesh. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  3. ^ Jairam Ramesh quits ministry, to devote full time to poll
  4. ^ a b c Churumuri (7-19-2009). "18 things you might like to know about Jairam". Wordpress.com. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "WebPage of Shri Jairam Ramesh". Members of Rajya Sabha. New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Secretariat. 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Copenhagen Accord does not affect sovereignty: Govt". Indian Express.com. New Delhi: The Indian Express Limited. 12-22-2009. Retrieved 28 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ PTI (12-27-2009). "PM, Sonia to lay foundation for Cong HQ tomorrow". The Hindu. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Dharr, Aarti (12-23-2009). "India to draw road map for low-carbon growth". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Dharr, Aarti (12-24-2009). "Ramesh for moratorium on new units at highly polluted areas". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ PTI. "Auto industry unhappy over plan to rate mileage". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  11. ^ staff. "Gundia project has not got Centre's nod". The hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  12. ^ IANS. "Tiger reserves in poor condition: Jairam Ramesh". The Hindu, S & T - ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT. New Delhi: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  13. ^ Dhall, Aarti (11-28-2009). "Centre orders enquiry into violation of mining norms". The Hindu, NEWS » STATES. New Delhi: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ staff (11-21-2009). "No clearance for mining, hydel projects that destroy Western Ghat: Ramesh". The Hindu, NEWS » STATES » KERALA. Palakkad: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b Ramachandran, R. (11-21-2009). "Ministry's 'no' to Neutrino Observatory project in Nilgiris". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi and Sons Ltd. pp. Front Page. Retrieved 09 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  16. ^ Madhusudan, M. (11-22-2009). "Centre no to neutrino observatory in Nilgiris". Sunday Pioneer. New Delhi: Pioneer Syndication Services. Retrieved 09 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  17. ^ Jairam Ramesh. Making Sense of Chindia: Reflections on China and India. New Delhi, India Research Press, 2005. ISBN 81-87943-95-5
  18. ^ Ramesh, Jairam (2002). Kautilya today Jairam Ramesh on a globalizing India. New Delhi: India Research Press. p. 490. ISBN 8187943378.

External links

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