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Journalism of Courage
On September 16,Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh distancing himself from the Government and questioning development works in the strategic North-East and Bhutan.
After that letter attracted criticism,on October 14,Ramesh sent a second letter to the Prime Minister clearly pulling himself back from this position alleging that a campaign had been launched by some people that my position on hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh weakens the national interest.
This time,in an attempt at course-correction,Ramesh quoted his earlier position on the subject. And,in an unusual departure from norms,even mentioned how on August 2,he had approved the grant of the Terms of Reference for the environmental impact assessment for the 2700 MW Lower Siang Project being executed by a private company.
He wrote: I had recorded the following: This is an extremely important project from a strategic point of view that is essential to strengthen our negotiating/bargaining position vis a vis China on the Brahmaputra waters issue. There will be other such projects on the Siang. MoE&F,keeping this perspective in mind,should play a proactive role for facilitating speedy implementation.
Ramesh then went on to justify this note. I thought it is important to bring this fact to your attention given the campaign that has been launched by some people that my position on hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh weakens the national interest. In fact,may I take the liberty of saying that the position I have taken…has been entirely suo motu without any ministry lobbying me for it, Ramesh wrote.
