Union Minister of state for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said the final decision on the question of allowing Bt Brinjal in the country would be taken by February 10.
Six public hearings have been held at various cities across the country so far and the seventh is scheduled to be held in Bangalore on February 6. The final decision would be taken on the issue by February 10, he told reporters here.
Asked about the possibility of postponing the decision in the wake of demands for more consultations on the matter, he said, “Wait till February 10.”
Asserting that he is not under any pressure from any body, including the Prime Minister’s office or any company, the minister said that a fair decision would be taken on the issue.
“Those who are in favour of allowing Bt Brinjal are being accused of being agents of multinational companies and those who are opposing it are being labelled as anti-technology. Both are faulty, we have to take the right decision,” Mr. Ramesh said.
The minister was speaking to reporters after holding a public hearing on the Bt Brinjal issue at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture here.
