Reining in Jayanti Natarajan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stepped in to resolve controversies arising over environmental clearances for projects. Several projects, especially relating to highways and power, were being held up for want of environmental clearances. The inner-wrangling in the Union Cabinet attracted attention of the principal Opposition party, the BJP. Among the most affected was Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo. The Prime Minister's intervention led to its resolution. Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley was overheard remarking, "Hell knows no fury as the frown of Jayanti Natarajan." The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has since adopted a proactive role. Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had indicated in his Budget Speech, "Many projects are stalled because they are unable to clear regulatory hurdles. The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) has been set up to monitor investment proposals as well as projects under implementation, including stalled projects, and guided decision-making in order to remove bottlenecks and quicken the pace of implementation."