Meghalaya Environment Minister

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)has decided to confer on Meghalaya Environment Minister James P K Sangma the Progressive Business Concept Award for his plans to produce 'vegan leather' in the northeastern state, officials said.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said his government will ensure environmental safeguards before going ahead with Centre's plans to promote palm oil cultivation in the Northeast region.

Claiming that "vested interests" had misconstrued its cattle trade rule, Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has told NDTV that the government was willing to revisit the rule that bans slaughter of cattle sold in animal markets, saying "it is not a prestige issue for us".

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)has decided to confer on Meghalaya Environment Minister James P K Sangma the Progressive Business Concept Award for his plans to produce 'vegan leather' in the northeastern state, officials said.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said his government will ensure environmental safeguards before going ahead with Centre's plans to promote palm oil cultivation in the Northeast region.

Claiming that "vested interests" had misconstrued its cattle trade rule, Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has told NDTV that the government was willing to revisit the rule that bans slaughter of cattle sold in animal markets, saying "it is not a prestige issue for us".