Environment will take a back seat: Jairam Ramesh

Apparently referring to the Narendra Modi government, Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh today said that in the present political scenario environment would take a back seat.

"This government is looking at a rapid economic expansion ... I do not see political appetite to protect the environment and taking bold decisions. Environment will take a back seat," Ramesh said in an address on toxic pollution and public health organised by the Ananta Aspen Centre.

The former union environment minister recalled the scrapping of three hydel power projects by the previous government after concerns of environment emerged for free flow of the river Ganga.

'Ganga Manthan' planned in the first week of July by the government, where leading social organisations and priests would be invited, did not receive praise from Ramesh who said it might polarise the clean Ganga agenda.

Meanwhile, speaking about public health Ramesh said that in India, environment was not a lifestyle, but a livelihood issue.

The former minister supported more spending on public health, but not in the way it was being carried out.

"We must increase spending on public health, but not in the way we are doing as it will not yield any result. If we spend even one-tenth of the total spending of public health in providing safe drinking water and sanitation, we will get better results," he added.