| Font Size |
The minister said a report will be finalised by February 5, based on public discussions at various places in the country on the issue.
The issue of cultivation of BT brinjal is important for West Bengal as the state accounts for nearly 30 per cent of brinjal production — 27,000 tonnes — in the country. On October 14, the Genetic Engineering Approval Commitee (GEAC) had given its nod for commercial cultivation of BT brinjal after nearly seven years of research.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest had then initiated a public discussion on the issue.
On Wednesday, the minister chaired nearly a four-hour discussion with scientists, farmers and various rights oganisations on the issue at the lecture hall of the Bose Institute. At one point the protests turned so loud that the minister even threatened to quit. “If you don’t behave, I will leave. Either you leave or I leave,” he said when the participants slammed Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scientist K C Bansal, who was arguing in favour of cultivation of BT brinjal.
Scientists and farmers came out with suggestions on various aspects of the issue and submitted their written plea to the minister.
Most of them were against cultivation of the genetically modified (GM) crop. Some scientists opined that there is nothing wrong in it but the government should be more cautious.
While Ramesh was listening to the views, protestors took to the streets with posters and placards saying ‘BT brinjal go back’. Towards the end of the discussion, the minister himself came out and pacified the protectors who were demonstrating on the road.
Ramesh said that had he been an agent of Mansento, he would not have gone for public discussion on the issue and would have gone ahead with commercialisation of BT brinjal in October when the GEAC had approved its cultivation.
“Nobody has a monopoly on truth. I hope that the discussion would be true to the scientific spirit and spirit of questioning... Through the discussion I am not judging the future of BT technology but want a limited feedback on what is next on BT brinjal,” said Ramesh.
The minister also said that he has written to all the chief ministers of the country seeking their views on the issue. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa have rejected the proposal. Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in a letter to the Union minister had expressed his concerns over the issue in November 2008.
Discuss this story on expressindia forums
|
|
Indian scientists are easy to buy! Kick out monsanto and GM food out of my country!
Seriously, IE, this is the limit! Even after an earlier commentator has pointed out the mistake, you haven't corrected it!! Did you publish the same in the print version of the paper??
the Minister is supposed to have announced the public consultations in response to the huge hue and cry over the regulatory approval since many valid questions and concerns have been left unaddressed. in such a case, rather than spend time listening to people who have these valid points to share, why should the gm crop supporters be heard including the developers? i think it was correct that dr bansal was heckled.
Dear Mr Reporter, You are hilarious! Dr KC Bansal is a scientist currently in the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which is a constituent of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. You have transferred him to the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. I am sure you must have consulted Dr Bansal and obtained his consent before you transferred him.
There are so many companies in U.S. that have gone organic who are against the GMO products. Many Pre-packaged products clearly say NON GMO in the Health Foods Industries. Would Indian Express also write the article about Pro and Con of GMO products to educate people and the farmers about the Pro GMO companies and why they want to control the Seeds of GMO products. First they wanted our Gold,Diamonds,Herbs and spices; but now they want to control the Food ? What is going to be the next in Line of Control, SALT and WATER ??? These big seed companies pay big under the table Bribes to not only the politicians in U.S. but now they maybe stuffing the pockets of Indian politicians whose working definition is STUFF MY POCKET FIRST.