In her address in the budget session of Parliament, Patil said: "My government attaches the highest importance to the implementation of all laws relating to the protection of the envrionemnt and forests. the rapid pace of economic growth is imposing new challenges. A developing country like ours must find ways to strike an appropriate balance between environmental imperayives and developmental needs. My government has constituted a Group of Ministers to look into all issues relating to the reconciliation of enviropnmental concerns arising out of different kinds of developmental activities without in any way diluting our pursuit of ecologically sustainable growth paths."
Patil's assertions may indicate that environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh's zeal - in withholding environemental clearances on many cases - enjoys the government's backing. Read the full report here.
Source: Times News Network, New Delhi.
