2 Feb : Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday categorically said no final decision has been taken on commercial introduction of Bt brinjal and that the Centre’s stand will be known by 10th February, as Kerala joined a chorus of opposing states.
“No decision has been taken on commercial genetically modified brinjal so far in view of ongoing public hearings being completed so far in six cities,” Ramesh said.
“On February 7, I will hold a meeting in Bangalore on the issue and by February 10, I will take a final decision whether the GM food should be commercially produced,” Ramesh told reporters in Jammu.
The Minister, who has so far held meetings in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh has been met with strong opposition from scientists, farmers and activists against the proposed decision to introduce the Bt brinjal in the market.
“Genetically Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) which is a scientific body in my ministry has given approval for Bt brinjal’s commercial production.”
“… but let me once again say clearly and categorically that the final decision rests with the Centre and as the minister concerned I have to take decision on GEAC recommendations,” said Ramesh.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan strongly opposed any move to introduce Bt brinjal and other Genetically Modified food crops in the country, saying it would lead to ‘colonisation of the food sector’.
West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa are among the opposing states.
However, even as Ramesh is yet to decide on the fate of Bt brinjal, Agriculture and Science and Technology Ministers Sharad Pawar and Prithviraj Chavan have already supported the GM food, saying the Centre has nothing to do with the GEAC decision.
Bt brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene into the vegetable.A US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and a Maharashtra-based Indian company market BT brinjal in the country.
If commercially allowed, it would be the first GM food in the country and would pave way for many others which are waiting for approval.