Jairam's sudden burst of generosity comes days after a group of 14 eminent citizens, mostly India's top corporate honchos like Keshub Mahindra, Azim Premji and Jamshyd Godrej (interestingly, none with mining interests), wrote a letter to the prime minister complaining that there had been "impediments" to development because of "critical issues like environmental concerns and differences in perspective between central and state governments".
Jairam munificence sits oddly with his own high-decibel proclamations favouring increased green cover in the last 20-odd months. It also adds to the phenomenal diversion of forest land - some three lakh hectares between 2000 and 2009.Â
Had it been his less than illustrious predecessors - Namo Narayan Meena, A Raja or TR Baalu - the spin to these shocking statistics would have been different.
But Jairam has set the bar high. Not since Indira Gandhi has a politician mainstreamed the environmental issue. After all, 'Green' concerns have always been seen as the staple of fringe groups, faddists or desperate tribals looking for photo-ops. Read the full report here.
Source: Sandeep Bhushan, Hard News. Delhi.
