(a) the amount invested by Indian Council of Agricultural Research in
developing various Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the country;
(b) whether the above said institution has developed any GM Crops in the
country, so far;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any mechanism to check the quality
of the GM crops introduced by Multi National Companies and their Indian
subsidiaries; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) Funds are made available to various Divisions of Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) for overall research and development; not specifically
for developing GM crops. ICAR has allocated Rs. 1601.60 crores during the
first four years of XI plan period to Crop Science and Horticulture Divisions
for crop improvement which includes research on Genetically Modified crops.
(b) & (c): The Institutes of ICAR have developed transgenics of Cotton and
Brinjal. In crops like Sorghum, Tomato, Mustard, Potato, Sugarcane and Rice,
transgenics, have been developed and are under testing.
(d) & (e): The Government has adequate regulatory provisions under the Seed
Act 1966, Seed Rules 1968 and the Seed Control Order 1983 to check the quality of
seeds introduced by Companies in India. To regulate the quality of Bt Cotton seeds
for specifying the purity in terms of quantum of Bt gene expression in Bt cotton
seeds, a notification was issued on 5.11.2005 under the Seed Act 1966. There is
a specified procedure for seed sample size for Bt cotton seed lots for testing
purposes under Rule 33 of the Seed Rules, 1968. State Governments have notified
Seed Inspectors for enforcement of Seed law. The Review Committee on Genetically
Manipulation (RCGM) constituted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under
EPA-1986 looks into the biosafety aspects of GM crops prior to environmental
release. The mandate of the MoEF and GEAC is to regulate the biosafety
(Environment and Health) of a GM product as per the regulatory procedure
defined under Rule 1989 of EPA.