This is Lok Sabha, not London, Mulayam tells Jairam Ramesh

September 18th, 2009 LONDON - Indian plans to set numerical targets for curbing greenhouse gas emissions were described Friday as a breakthrough that challenges the US and other rich nations over climate change action. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told The Times of London legislation was being drafted to limit India's carbon footprint ahead of a UN climate change summit in Copenhagen December.

September 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday urged the SAARC countries to develop a combined mechanism to mitigate problems of green house gas emission leading to climate change. Addressing SAARC Clean Development Mechanism Conference here today, he said the, environment has trans-border implications, and hence, the issue has to be dealt with in the same manner.

August 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, said on Saturday that about 11 per cent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is being absorbed by the country's forests. According to the World Resources Institute, India's total GHG emissions stood at 1,853 million metric tons equivalent of carbon dioxide, about 4.9 percent of global emissions in 2005.

August 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has plans to launch a satellite to study the impact of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country. Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday informed in Rajya Sabha, dscussions on the project, estimated to cost 300 crore rupees, are going on with the scientists in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other agencies, Ramesh informed Japan and Europe have launched such satellites.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Many projects will no longer need environmental impact assessment (EIA) and clearance from the government, according to amendments to EIA rules proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh informed parliament Monday that the proposals included: * Threshold limits of construction projects (that require clearance) would be raised from 20,000 to 50,000 square metres * Modernisation and expansion projects without increase in pollution load would be exempt from EIA provisions * Prospecting of minerals would be exempt * Biomass based power plans up to 50 MW would be exempt Ramesh informed the Rajya Sabha in response to a question that the amendments envisaged more involvement of civil society groups in environmental clearance.

July 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Replying to parliamentary questions in English once again, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh found himself in trouble on Monday when a BJP member objected to him not responding in Hindi in the Rajya Sabha. During Question Hour, when Ramesh replied in English to a supplementary put to him in Hindi, it triggered a sharp reaction from Kalraj Mishra (BJP) who asked why was he not replying in Hindi despite being fluent in it.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Water security was a key area in the governments national action plan on climate change, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Wednesday and described the drying up of natural lakes across the country as a matter of serious concern. The minister of state with independent charge of environment however said his ministry faced a problem of resources and suggested that the issue could be more aggressively addressed if the water resources ministry joined hands with him.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh Wednesday said the government would pursue a policy of encouraging bio-degradable plastic and argued that banning polythene bags was no solution. It is the failure of the solid waste management by (the) local bodies that is forcing the state governments to ban the use of plastic bags, Jairam Ramesh, who holds independent charge of environment ministry, said in parliament.

May 25th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Keen to play a larger role in national politics after his election as MP, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Monday decided to concentrate his activities in Delhi. Formally announcing his resignation from the membership of the state assembly, Mulayam Singh told mediapersons: "I will concentrate on the national parliament." He has anointed his younger brother Shivpal Yadav to succeed him as leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

May 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh said Thursday that that he will never desert party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. 'Main jeevan bhar Mulayam Singh ko nahin choroonga (I will not leave Mulayam Singh in my lifetime),' Amar Singh told reporters here.

May 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh Thursday said that he will never leave the side of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. 'Main jeevan bhar Mulayam Singh ko nahin choroonga (I will not leave Mulayam Singh in my lifetime),' Amar Singh told reporters here, a day after the five-phase Lok Sabha elections came to a close.

April 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A week before the Lok Sabha elections start, Congress strategist Jairam Ramesh has conceded it will be a 'tough fight' although he is optimistic that his party will win again. Ramesh said his party would contest around 440 seats out of 543 seats as against 417 in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

February 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Congress president Sonia Gandhi Saturday appointed former union minister Jairam Ramesh as the party's co-ordinator for the coming Lok Sabha elections. 'The Congress president has approved the appointment of Jairam Ramesh as co-ordinator for Lok Sabha elections-related affairs,' a statement released by Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

February 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Commerce, Industry and Power Jairam Ramesh resigned from the council of ministers Wednesday to concentrate on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ramesh, who is a Rajya Sabha member from the Congress, told IANS: 'Yes, I have resigned as a minister.' Asked about the reasons, he said: 'To concentrate on campaigning yaar (friend).'

February 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Commerce, Industry and Power Jairam Ramesh resigned from the council of ministers Wednesday to concentrate on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ramesh, who is a Rajya Sabha member from the Congress, told IANS: 'Yes, I have resigned as a minister.' Asked about the reasons, he said: 'To concentrate on campaigning yaar (friend).' Ramesh added: 'I have resigned with the full consent to serve my party to help in the ensuing elections.