GEAC is the statutory authority under the environment ministry to clear trials and introduction of genetically modified crops. It had come under flak from environment minister Jairam Ramesh for permitting GM food crop trials without his knowledge. Ramesh's ire against GEAC was a consequence of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's complaint that agriculture was a state subject and the Centre could not decide on the issue on its own.
Now Kusmaria has written along the same lines to the central government. "The GEAC has given permission for trials of GM Maize in Madhya Pradesh. It is shocking to see that during Rabi season 2010-11, the GEAC had given permission in India for open air trials of even Monsanto's GM Maize," he wrote.
"Government of Madhya Pradesh has taken a decision to prohibit all environmental release of GMOs and keep the state totally free of GM food. We would also request you to reconsider the policy on GM in the national scale and declare a moratorium on all GM food crops," he added. Read the full report here.
Source: Nitin Sethi, TNN, New Delhi.
