PM sets up high level group on climate change

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) Taking note of the fact that the impending climate change would have a serious impact on the country's economy, environment and gorwth, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a high-level advisory group on climate change issues.

Called the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, the group has been set up just a day ahead of the Prime Minister leaving for Germany to attend the G8 Summit which is focussed on climate change.

The Council will include the following: Government Representatives:- Minister of External Affairs; Finance Minister; Minister of Environment&Forests; Minister of Agriculture; Minister of Water Resources; Minister of Science&Technology; Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; Dr. R.

Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to PM; Shri V.

Krishnamurthy, Chairman, NMCC; Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, EAC; Shri Ajay Mathur, Chairman, Bureau of Energy Efficiency; Foreign Secretary; Secretary, Environment&Forests and Principal Secretary to PM (Convenor) Non-Government Members:- Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Chairperson, TERI; Dr. Prodipto Ghosh; Dr. Nitin Desai; Dr. Sunita Narain; Chandrashekhar Dasgupta (Retd. Diplomat); Ratan Tata, Chairman, Investment Commission; Raj Chengappa, Executive Editor, India Today; Dr. R.Ramachandran, Science Editor, The Hindu.

The Council will coordinate national action plans for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change. It will advise government on pro-active measures that can be taken by India to deal with the challenge of climate change. It will also facilitate inter-ministerial coordination and guide policy in relevant areas.

UNI