Amid a raging controversy over allowing the commercial use of Bt brinjal, Congress has sided with environment minister Jairam Ramesh
at the expense of science and technology minister Prithviraj Chavan. Asked about the different viewpoints within the government on the issue of the genetically modified vegetable, party spokesman Shakil Ahmed said the government position in the debate had been articulated by Ramesh. “Ramesh has expressed the government view on the issue and we stand by that, after all people’s health is paramount,” Ahmed said.
His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of Chavan defending Bt brinjal, claiming that scientists found it safe. “As far as science is concerned, it is safe,” Chavan had said on Saturday. Early on, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has also defended Bt brinjal by citing the green light to the GM crop from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
Ramesh, however, announced the government decision to put a moratorium on the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal after holding public hearings which were dominated by green activists.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cong-sides-with-Jairam-on-Bt-brinjal/articleshow/5578184.cms
at the expense of science and technology minister Prithviraj Chavan. Asked about the different viewpoints within the government on the issue of the genetically modified vegetable, party spokesman Shakil Ahmed said the government position in the debate had been articulated by Ramesh. “Ramesh has expressed the government view on the issue and we stand by that, after all people’s health is paramount,” Ahmed said.
His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of Chavan defending Bt brinjal, claiming that scientists found it safe. “As far as science is concerned, it is safe,” Chavan had said on Saturday. Early on, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has also defended Bt brinjal by citing the green light to the GM crop from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
Ramesh, however, announced the government decision to put a moratorium on the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal after holding public hearings which were dominated by green activists.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Cong-sides-with-Jairam-on-Bt-brinjal/articleshow/5578184.cms
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