Coalition for a GM-Free India demands immediate stopping of all public sector transgenic research and an independent enquiry and action against fraudulent scientists. 2011 ends with a big blot to the Indian scientific community, as was the case in 2010 too. The much-hyped public sector Bt cotton lines (Bikaneri Narma Bt variety and NHH-44 Bt […]
Hyped Desi Cotton has Monsanto gene!
India’s claim of having developed its own Bt cotton (genetically modified) variety has taken an embarrassing turn with an RTI inquiry by two scientists revealing how the University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS) at Dharwad went ahead — brushing aside all precautions — to produce an indigenous variety working on a gene originally patented by Monsanto. […]
Scientific Fraud: Misconduct by UAS-Dharwad in the name of Bt cotton
In the name of Bt cotton production, spurious act of developing Bt cotton A misconduct in the name of developing Bt Cotton, by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad came to the notice of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). In the last eight years, as the Bt cotton seed prices were increasing, agriculture researchers, knowledgeable […]
One more MP writes to the PM on the BRAI Bill
Mr Ramsundar Das, the JD (U) leader in Lok Sabha and a former Chief Minister of Bihar, wrote to the PM on the BRAI Bill. A copy of the letter is available here.
Creating an Undemocratic and Unaccountable Biotechnology Regulator
ESG’s Critique of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill 2011 can be accessed here’s. Creating an Undemocratic and Unaccountable Biotechnology Regulator Biotechnology is a cross cutting issue that affects food production, farming, health, environment and information technology sectors. It is to be expected then that formulation of any law governing this high risk technology […]
Madhya Pradesh opposes Biotech Regulatory Bill
You can download Dr Ramakrishna Kusmariya’s letter to Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh here. Madhya Pradesh opposes Biotech Regulatory Bill Madhya Pradesh has decided to officially oppose the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, to be tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday. State Agriculture Minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria has written to Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao […]
Farmers protest against BRAI Bill
Farmers protest against BRAI Bill A group of farmers staged a demonstration outside the residence of Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda here on Monday. They were protesting against the Biotech Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill that is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. “The Chief Minister should have written to […]
BRAI Bill tabling tomorrow: Opposition from all quarters
The text of the Statement of Concern signed by ten former Supreme Court Judges is available here Appeal to Scrap Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill 2011 Jointly signed by various organisations and concerned citizens across the country Date : 21 November 2011 To, Dr. Manmohan Singh, The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Government of India. […]
Former SC Judges oppose Bill on Biotechnology
FORMER SC JUDGES OPPOSE BILL ON BIOTECHNOLOGY Chetan Chauhan chetan@hindustantimes.com Ahead of the winter session of Parliament, former judges of the Supreme Court have questioned the efficacy of three bills on new regulatory authority for biotechnology sector, unfair practices in higher education and constitution of education tribunals. The winter session has hectic agenda for MPs […]
Bt cotton fails farmers in Tamil Nadu
Bt cotton fails farmers in state CHENNAI: For Arul Venkatesan, a cotton-growing farmer in the Aroor block of Dharmapuri district, the stand that Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa took in the Assembly in August, that her government will not “promote” GM crops in the State, “struck the ears like music”. Venkatesan was one among the thousands […]
More MPs write to PM against BRAI bill…..
Ms Ashwadesh Devi, Shri Umashankar Singh and Shri Omprakash Yadav – Lok Sabha MPs – also write in to the Prime Minister, asking him not to introduce the BRAI Bill in the Parliament.
Farm & Food Activists Demand Scrapping of BRAI Bill 2011
FARM & FOOD ACTIVISTS DEMAND SCRAPPING OF BRAI BILL 2011: Ask State Govt to raise its voice against the Bill and protect farmers’ interests – Seek disallowing of GM crop field trials in the state Chennai, November 11, 2011: Farmers’ leaders from all over Tamil Nadu, cutting across various affiliations, demanded that the Union Government […]
BJP leader asks PM not to introduce BRAI Bill
BJP leader asks PM not to introduce BRAI Bill Patna, 8/11/11: Bihar BJP president C P Thakur has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to go ahead with the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill in its present form in the winter session of Parliament. “This bill has major problems that require your immediate […]
Members of Parliament write to PM on BRAI Bill
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WRITE TO THE PM, AGAINST THE BRAI BILL Capt. Jainarain Nishad, former Union Minister for Environment has written to the Prime Minister, expressing concern over the Government of India pushing forward the BRAI Bill. Prof Anil Kumar Sahani, a Rajya Sabha MP, has also written to the PM, pointing out that the […]
Cotton yield may fall to 5-year low
Right from the beginning, it has been seen that in good years, when the yields are good, industry gives credit to Bt cotton; in bad years, blame it on the rain! Cotton yield may fall to 5-yr low The cotton revolution through Bacillus Thuringiensis, popularly known as Bt, has been losing its sheen gradually over […]