Shri A. Raja took over as the Minister of Environment & Forests, here
today. On assuming charge of the portfolio, Shri Raja held
discussions with the Secretary, Dr Prodipto Ghosh and other senior
officials of the Ministry, who apprised the Minister of the various
initiatives, programmes and activities of the Ministry.
Interacting with the media persons, Shri Raja said that he would accord
top priority to the formulation of a comprehensive National Environment
Policy, which would guide environmental management, regulation and
legislation to enable harmonization of environmental conservation and
development.
Stating that he would ensure that environmental conservation, economic
growth and poverty alleviation proceed harmoniously, rather than conflict
with each other, Shri Raja stressed that the efforts for environmental,
including forests conservation should be synchronized with the livelihood
concerns of the poor.
Advocate by profession, Shri A. Raja was born in Velur, District
Perambalur of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 1963. Educated at A.A.G. Arts College,
Musiri, District Trichy, Government Law College, Madurai and Government
Law College, Trichy, Shri Raja first entered Parliament in 1996 as a
Member of 11th Lok Sabha. He was re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 and
held the portfolio of Rural Development from October 13, 1999 to September
29, 2000 and subsequently, Health and Family Welfare from September 30,
2000 to December 21, 2003 as Minister of State. An ardent social worker,
Shri Raja has been re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Perambalur
constituency of Tamil Nadu.
(Release ID :1806)