Jairam Ramesh is the Indian Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests since May, 2009. He is also a member of the National Advisory Council. From January 2006 to February, 2009, he was the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and from April 2008 to February, 2009 was also the Minister of State for Power in the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He has earlier been Advisor to the Finance Minister during 1996-98 and to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission during 1992-94. He has previously also served in the Prime Minister's Office, Planning Commission, Ministry of Industry and other central government departments in various capacities.