Public issues, briefed

Background

At COP29 in Baku (November 2024), countries negotiated a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance: the flow of finance from developed to developing countries after 2025.

Documented position

He delivered India's National Statement at the High-level Segment on 19 November 2024. PIB quotes him verbatim: "What we decide here on NCQG must be founded on the principle of Climate Justice." The statement called on developed countries to show leadership in mitigation and to leave enough "carbon space" for developing countries to develop.

Parliamentary context

As a Minister of State he speaks for the Government's negotiating position, not in a personal capacity. The position reflects India's long-standing insistence on equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

Relevant data

• Net zero by 2070 (announced 2021)
• Updated NDC 2022: 45% emissions-intensity reduction by 2030 from 2005
• NDC 2031–35: 47% by 2035; 60% non-fossil capacity

Background

The National Clean Air Programme was launched in January 2019. It targets up to a 40% reduction in PM10 concentrations, or attainment of national standards, by 2025–26 in its programme cities.

Documented action

On 23 July 2026 he answered for the Ministry in the Rajya Sabha. His written reply set out the programme's progress and funding.

Parliamentary context

Rajya Sabha, unstarred question 545 (Monsoon Session 2026).

Relevant data

• 108 of 130 cities with lower PM10 in 2025–26 than in 2017–18
• ₹16,423.56 crore released, FY 2019–20 to FY 2025–26

Background

The India State of Forest Report 2023 puts forest and tree cover at 25.17% of India's geographical area. Gonda's sal and teak forests, including Tikri, support forest-dwelling communities.

Documented action

As an MP, on 15 March 2016 he raised under Rule 377 the need for civic amenities and welfare schemes for forest dwellers in the Gonda constituency.

Parliamentary context

16th Lok Sabha, Rule 377 matter. Rule 377 lets a member raise a matter that is not a point of order; the concerned ministry then responds.

Relevant data

• Forest cover: 7,15,343 km² (21.76%)
• Forest and tree cover up 1,445 km² since 2021
• Tikri forest: about 7,500 ha

Background

India has 58 tiger reserves and an estimated 3,682 tigers (2022). As wildlife populations and human settlement both grow, conflict between people and wild animals has become a policy concern.

Documented action

At the 26th NTCA meeting (21 December 2024) he spoke as Vice-Chairman. He called for faster notification of Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve and for new methods against invasive alien species. On 10 July 2026 he attended the opening of the Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict in Coimbatore and spoke on balancing conservation with livelihoods.

Parliamentary context

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 5 February 2026, he reported that protected areas had grown from 981 (2020) to 1,134 (2025).

Relevant data

• Tiger reserves: 50 → 58
• Elephant reserves: 30 → 33
• 150 elephant corridors

Background

Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda became a Ramsar site on 2 December 2019. India's Ramsar network has grown from 26 sites (2014) to 101 (August 2026).

Documented position

At the national World Wetlands Day event in Gonda (2 February 2025), PIB reports that he announced a planned Ayodhya–Devi Patan nature and culture tourism corridor. He also said Gonda, with more than 100 wetlands, could be recognised as a "Wetland City".

Parliamentary context

This was an executive engagement, not a parliamentary one. Earlier, as an MP, he raised irrigation water for the Aranga reservoir (9 July 2019).

Relevant data

• Parvati Arga Ramsar area: 722 ha
• 153 bird species recorded

Background

About three-quarters of Gonda's workers are cultivators or agricultural labourers. Sugarcane is a major kharif crop, and the district's irrigation relies on groundwater.

Documented action

On 12 August 2015 he raised the clearance of sugarcane farmers' arrears owed by sugar mills in the Gonda constituency. On 9 July 2019 he raised supplying surplus water from the Tikri Minor canal (Saryu Nahar Pariyojana, Phase II) to the Aranga reservoir.

Parliamentary context

Both were Rule 377 matters, in the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha.

Relevant data

• Cultivators 37.6% and agricultural labourers 36.9% of workers (Census 2011)
• Irrigation covers 81.58% of cultivable area

Background

93.4% of Gonda district's population is rural (Census 2011). The Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) was the central scheme for rural electrification at the time.

Documented action

On 6 August 2015 he raised the need to speed up village electrification under RGGVY in the Gonda constituency.

Parliamentary context

16th Lok Sabha, Rule 377.

Relevant data

• 1,817 revenue villages in Gonda district
• Average household size 6.3

Background

Gonda Junction is on the Lucknow–Gorakhpur line of North Eastern Railway. NH-330 passes through Gonda city.

Documented action

He raised the following in the Lok Sabha:

• Reconstruction of the Mankapur–Babhnan road to the Chhapia temple under the Central Road Fund (30 July 2014)
• Extension of the Lucknow–Barabanki MEMU to Gonda (15 December 2015)
• A stoppage of the Gorakhdham Express at Mankapur (12 March 2018)
• Upgrading the Utraula–Faizabad–Allahabad state highways to a National Highway (17 March 2021)

Parliamentary context

Rule 377 matters and special mentions in the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha. Whether each request was granted is not recorded here.

Relevant data

• Nearest airport listed by the district: Lucknow (about 133 km)

Background

Gonda has pilgrimage and heritage sites, including Chhapaiya, the birthplace of Swaminarayan, and several historic temples.

Documented action

On 27 November 2019 he raised developing Shravan Pakar, a site of mythological importance in the Gonda constituency, as a tourist destination.

Parliamentary context

17th Lok Sabha, Rule 377.

Relevant data

• Tourism-related plans are also noted under Wetlands (Brief 05)

Background

As Minister of State for External Affairs, he represents India at bilateral meetings and multilateral forums, often on the Government's behalf.

Documented action

See the External Affairs register for each documented engagement, with date, location, purpose, outcome and source.

Parliamentary context

Foreign policy is set by the Government as a whole. His statements abroad are made on its behalf.

Relevant data

• Environment diplomacy: COP29, CBD COP16, UNEA-7, IUCN Congress (see register)

Background

Under parliamentary procedure, ministers answer questions in both Houses on behalf of their ministries, orally or as written replies laid on the table.

Documented action

He has given written replies for MoEFCC in the Rajya Sabha, for example on wildlife (5 February 2026) and on the National Clean Air Programme (23 July 2026).

Parliamentary context

Ministers do not ask questions or move private members' business, so PRS does not report their participation as members.

Relevant data

• 17th Lok Sabha as an MP: 7 debates, 47 questions, 70% attendance (PRS)