Environment body head quits over conflict of interest

Former power Secretary P Abraham resigned as chairman of the Expert Appraisal Committee (river and hydro-electric projects) of the Environment Ministry, amid allegations of a conflict of interest situation.

Former power Secretary P Abraham resigned as chairman of the Expert Appraisal Committee (river and hydro-electric projects) of the Environment Ministry, amid allegations of a conflict of interest situation.

Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh announced on Friday the resignation had been accepted. Abraham could not be reached.

HT had on June 16 reported that Abraham’s presence on the committee posed a conflict of interest as he was on the board of at least six power companies. Every hydel project in India needs the committee’s approval.

HT reported that Pune-based Kalpvriksh Environmental Action Group had filed a complaint, alleging conflict of interest as on six occasions, companies where Abraham was on the board had approached the EAC. To Abraham’s credit, he’d stayed away from meetings where projects of companies he served were discussed.