Reject GM mustard, Gandhi to CM

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 20

Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, Member Parliament (MP), Patiala, has shot a letter to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, requesting him to call a special session of the Punjab Assembly and pass a unanimous resolution on the lines of the Kerala Assembly to reject the introduction of GM mustard in Punjab and thus save the age-old genetic pool and diversity of various crops.

Dr Gandhi alleged that the Union Government was out to destroy the biodiversity of the country to benefit giant seed companies like Monsanto and Dow, which is not only against interests of farmers who will be compelled to buy costly seeds in the future but also against interests of consumers and the autonomy of the state.

He further stated that the decision of the Union Government had come in spite of strong opposition by agricultural scientists, economists, peasant organisations and the civil society from all over Indian and the world.

The Patiala MP further reminded the fate of BT cotton in Punjab and the losses suffered by farmers. He termed the approval for commercial cultivation not only unwanted and unsafe misadventure but also labelled it as anti-people and anti-national.