Annie Zaidi: Why the greens miss Jairam Ramesh

Government decisions are often described as absurd, but few are considered random.

Most decisions, especially those involving change of responsibility or designation, are carefully calculated. So, when a ministerial portfolio, for instance, is taken away, the question is worth asking — Why?

Writing for Al-Jazeera, eco-activist Vandana Shiva had raised questions about the propriety of the PMO’s behaviour vis a vis the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). She writes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh admitted to pressurising the MoEF.

If the PM did make such a confession, it is a matter of great concern. Not only does it undermine the authority of the minister (and the law), it also sends out the message that ministers can be pressured to act against their own best judgment.

Ramesh himself has complained that he was used as ‘Shikhandi’ (sort of like a human shield, or a pawn) while he was in charge of the MoEF. But at any rate, he was a lively, enlivening Shikhandi. Barely a few weeks ago, he’d pointed out that Lavasa, the ambitious politically-backed Project (yes, with a Capital P) did not have environmental clearance. But earlier in the year, he gave final clearance to the POSCO project in Orissa, leading to howls of protest from eco-activists.

Yet, none of those activists seem particularly joyful at being rid of Ramesh. The very people who opposed his decisions are worried now that he’s no longer in charge. Again, it is worth asking — Why?

Until recently, the MoEF was barely visible in everyday governance. Usually, the ministries we heard from were Home, Finance or Defence. But debates over displacement, pollution and the right of ecology itself to survive, unmolested, have become uncomfortably hot in India.

And Ramesh was a desirable candidate as minister since he seemed to take his job seriously. At least he seemed aware that millions of lives — and democracy itself — were at stake.

Over the last couple of years, I’d often see press releases from environmental groups or an angry letter on a mailing list lashing out at Ramesh. He may have promised to rethink the Renuka dam, or allowed more construction on the Narmada. Whatever he did, Ramesh was making his presence felt, and a lot of people are wondering if Jayanthi Natarajan will follow suit.

What distinguishes a visible minister from an invisible one is that the former takes decisions that matter. Some turn out to be stupid decisions. Sometimes, they run contrary to the plans of the political party leadership. But a good minister must take contrary decisions and make frank statements. And the public must believe that the minister likes to use his brains. Even if his thinking is not in alignment with our own hopes and fears. But at least, let him apply himself to the task at hand, enforce rules, ask questions.

Ramesh seemed to have applied himself, as far as he was allowed to. But I’m not mourning his transfer to Rural Development. Visible ministers are desperately needed in every ministry. Already, after accepting his new portfolio, Ramesh has stressed the need to revisit land acquisition laws. Perhaps, he will once again find himself on the wrong side of POSCO. Who knows what he will decide. But as long as he’s listening to those who must suffer the consequences of his decisions, Ramesh has a chance to do what is right.

And as for the MoEF, we can only hope Natarajan will similarly consult her conscience while taking decisions on environment. If she must become Shikhandi, let her become a shield for those who most need shielding.    

Annie Zaidi writes poetry,
stories, essays, scripts (and in a dark, distant past, recipes she
never actually tried)