Public-purpose projects our priority: Prakash Javadekar

Interview with Union minister for environment and information & broadcasting

A day after sending 40 employees home on casual leave for turning up late for work, Union minister for environment and information & broadcasting Prakash Javadekar tells Somesh Jha and Nivedita Mookerji at times, tough messages are necessary to get the best results. On lifting the environment-linked hurdles, which stalled mega ventures and several infrastructure projects for years during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, Javadekar pointed out that the priority of the Narendra Modi government would be to move fast on public-purpose projects, more than private ventures. While private projects might take time, this government will not see the colour or name of the industry, but only the merit of the case, he says, adding under this government, there's no tax to be paid for good work, in an oblique reference to the allegation of the previous regime derailing projects in the absence of 'green tax'. Excerpts:

You've been in the news for forcing people in the ministry to take casual leave for coming late for work. Are people more disciplined now?

I keep full faith and trust in all the employees and officials here because unless we work like a team, you can't scold people and punish. Yesterday, I sent out a message to the people who were not in office-'I came to see you but you were not there; you come to see me now'. I want punctuality, result, delivery and work, which will be rewarded and appreciated. To that end, we want to motivate. It is a continuous process and we will build teams in both the ministries.

The National Democratic Alliance has indicated it will be more industry-friendly than the UPA regime, especially in terms of green clearances. How tough is it to achieve?

I have said very clearly that our motto is development without destruction. Development and environment will go hand-in-hand because these aren't anti-thesis to each other. You have to take policy decision in the public interest and larger national interest. Therefore, we started with defence. As I was a member of the defence standing committee, I knew how projects were stalled and how important they are for the nation. So, giving general approval for military infrastructure within 100 km of LAC (the line of actual control) and the decision on the Karwar project, which is a navy hub alternative to Mumbai, is strategically important. This was withheld for three years, so we cleared it. This involved defence and public purpose issues and that, too, government proposals.

What was the signal you sent out through that decision?

We conveyed to the people that delay was out and decision was in. Decisions are being taken and this has sent a positive signal. We want to make the mindset of the bureaucrats positive towards nation building. Today, I have cleared tiger projects, as well as Ganga Action Plan sewage treatment plants. So, we care for nature, clean air and solid waste management. All these are important issues environmentally.

As environment minister, what are the big challenges you have faced so far?

The biggest challenge is that our bureaucracy has stopped taking decisions with the fear that if anything goes into courts, they will be made answerable even after they retire. I have given them the confidence that if they really serve the country with public purpose and on policy-based decision, and when they are not making any discretion by not favouring a particular company, they can't be harmed. The government's business is to start taking policy decisions and that is what our Prime Minister is also interested in.

So many infrastructure projects such as Posco and Vedanta have been stuck for so long. What measures will you take to fast-track infrastructure projects?

We have started on national highways, railways, power transmission lines-these are the linear projects which are public-purpose projects and not private. So, that must be given priority.

Does it mean when it comes to mega industrial projects, decisions will still take time?

Yes, these will take a little time. However, we will not see the colour or name of the industry, but the merit of the case. If it is do-able, we will do it. People have been talking about some tax-in our government, there is no tax for good work. Even if someone is ready to give a lot of tax, it will not be cleared if it has no merit.

Is there any big infrastructure project you are planning to give a push to?

We are now dealing with inter-ministerial projects that are with the environment ministry. So, we have discussed with power, coal, mines, renewable energy ministries and with state chief ministers. There are proposals and issues with every state in our ministry. We are sorting it out on a scientific basis and I am very confident all the right issues will be sorted. For instance, (Punjab CM) Prakash Singh Badal came and said Punjab wanted to auction 26 sand mines. Auction is the best transparent manner, which nobody can challenge. But there was a peculiar difficulty; they said bidders were not ready to take part in the auction and not bidding the real value because they had no environment clearance in hand. We got to know the environment clearance could be issued only in the name of the owner, which would be decided during the auction. But they (owners) are not ready till they are given environment clearance. I asked whether we were doing environment clearance of the site or the person. It's about the site. If those are environmentally clear, then a letter of comfort could be issued. When the owner's name will be known within 30 days of the auction, a licence can be issued. So, this was sorted.

How do you deal with non-Bharatiya Janata Party states such as Odisha, where big projects are stuck?

We are going issue-by-issue and going with states that are approaching us with their list. So, we are sorting out, taking decisions on policy and there is a follow-up after a month. We need development and protection of environment.

Is there a timeframe for the Ganga cleaning project?

Definitely!. It is a process in progress. As you are speaking to me, we have already taken decisions on three sewage treatment plants where the central government gives 70 per cent grant-two are in Bihar and one in West Bengal. So, we don't see the colour of the state, as the Ganga is one unit. These are public-interest decisions and absolutely important for cleaning Ganga.

Do you have any plans on the regulatory authority?

We have not discussed this issue yet; we'll do so in time.

What would you say are the three defining things in the environment ministry under you?

In the environment ministry, whatever we do on a day is a defining thing. We will continue to do it. We don't want publicity and glorification out of it.

Has there been any decision on the National Board of Wildlife?

This will come up soon.