But behind all the silence, Natarajan has made key changes. She has engineered a stance on climate change diametrically different from what Ramesh had pushed for. On another Ramesh policy - 'go' and 'no-go' areas on coal mining, which was heavily opposed by not just industry but her own colleagues in the cabinet - she has managed to hold the line. She has also pushed back hard against attempts to dilute environmental regulation and enforcement.
What Natarajan has done so far though is play a holding game - defending the existing space and laws against the onslaught from various fronts within and outside the government. Ramesh's modus operandi was picking a few iconic cases instead of going for substantial reforms. Natarajan has avoided that. Those who know Natarajan's political career are not surprised by her quiet approach. Read the full report here.
Source: Nitin Sethi & Joe Scaria, ET Bureau, Economic Times.
