Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today wrote a letter to Prime Minister expressing his concern over the stand to be taken by India in the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change. He quoted that Shri Jayaram Ramesh, MOS Forest & Environment has referred to an analysis by the Planning Commission of India based on which India is likely to commit reduction in carbon intensity to the extent of 25% up to the year 2020.

Modi pointed out to the Prime Minister that majority of the activities in relation to reduction in the carbon emissions are directly linked to State Governments. It will have a major impact on Energy sector, Industrial sector, Agricultural sector and Urban sector. Any announcement in the Climate Change policy matters will have long term impact on various developmental activities initiated by the State Governments. The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister that State Government should be actively involved in preparation for any policy frame-work with reference to emission standards since it will have major impact not only on the development activities but also on the future of Five Year Plans of the country. The country needs an integrated strategy on Climate Change which needs open discussions with the State Governments.

The Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to make available to the States the Analysis Report prepared by Planning Commission based upon which Government of India is likely to make announcement in the Copenhagen. At the same time Mr. Modi assured the Prime Minister that challenges of Climate Change has been accorded high priority by his government and he has created a separate department of Climate Change directly under his supervision. But, his major concern was that the State Governments are being left out of the consultation while evolving Climate Change Policy may hamper developmental agenda of the States covering a number of areas with the direct burden on individual citizens.