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Kamal Nath
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 Nath at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 2008 |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 2009 |
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| Preceded by | T R Baalu |
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| In office 1980-1985, 1985-1989, 1989-1991, 1991-1996, 1998-1999, 1999-2004, 2004-2009, 2009- |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 2009(current term) |
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| Constituency | Chhindwara |
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| In office May 2004 – April 2009 |
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| In office 1995 – 1996 |
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| In office 1991 – 1995 |
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| Born | 18 November 1946 Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Political party | INC |
| Spouse | Alka Nath |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Residence | Chhindwara |
| As of September 22, 2006 Source: [1] |
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Kamal Nath (born 18 November 1946) is an Indian politician and the current Union Cabinet Minister of Road Transport and Highways . He is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Chhindwara constituency of Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).[1]
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Career
He is an alumnus of The Doon School,[2] and a graduate of St. Xavier's College of the University of Calcutta.[1]
Kamal Nath was first elected to the 7th Lok Sabha in 1980. He was re-elected to the 8th Lok Sabha in 1985, the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989, and the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991. He served as Union Minister of State for the Environment and Forests (Independent Charge) from 1991 to 1995, then as Union Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) from 1995 to 1996. He was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he was the General Secretary of the INC. He was re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in the 2004 elections and has served as Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce & Industry since May 23, 2004. On May 16, 2009 - he has again won the elections from his constituency for the 15th Lok Sabha.[1]
He has stake in many industries and also operates a chain of colleges under brand name of IMT.
Controversies
Nath was indicted by the Nanavati Commission on allegations that he was involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Witnesses testified to seeing Nath lead an armed mob that attacked and demolished a Gurudwara in Rakab Ganj[3]. Nath allegedly incited the mob to attack. Several Sikhs were burned alive during the attack.[4] Nath responded to the Commission, saying that he visited the Gurudwara later in the day to investigate the agitation and urge peace.
The Commission Report observed that Nath's testimony was "vague" and "not consistent with the evidence" and also that his version of events was "a little of strange." However it overruled the contradictions in his testimony, saying "it is also required to be considered that he was called upon to give an explanation after about 20 years and probably for that reason he was not able to give more details." In conclusion the Commission said, "In absence of better evidence it is not possible for the Commission to say that he had in any manner instigated the mob or that he was involved in the attack on the Gurudwara"[5].
Kamal Nath was embroiled in a controversy when the Supreme Court in March 2002, applying the polluter pays principle, imposed a fine of Rs 10,00,000 (US$ 25,000) on Kamal Nath for damaging the environment by building a motel on the bank of Beas river near Kulu-Manali in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This irresponsible act changed the course of the river and thus caused ecological imbalance in that area. The Supreme Court Bench held that Kamal Nath was liable to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh for causing damage to the sensitive ecology of the area by building Span Motel.[6]
Awards and recognition
Kamal Nath was named the FDI Personality of the Year 2007 by the FDI magazine and the Financial Times Business for his "active efforts to attract foreign businesses to India, boost exports, and promote trade and investment".[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Profile at Parliament of India website.
- ^ "Profile of Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India". Department of Commerce, Government of India. http://commerce.nic.in/CIM-BIO.htm. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
- ^ The trial of Kamal Nath - Sheela Bhatt http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/09sb1.htm
- ^ i-vi
- ^ Nanavati Commission - Full Text http://www.carnage84.com/homepage/nancom.htm
- ^ Press Trust of India (2002-03-15). "Damage to ecology: Kamal Nath fined by SC". Indian Express. http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=8370. Retrieved on 2008-10-30.
- ^ "fDi Personality of the Year 2007 awards event at New Delhi 31st August 2007.", Indiaprwire.com, August 25, 2007.
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