SC seeks response from Centre on GM crops

The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre on a contempt petition filed by an activist who has claimed that Government was seeking to approve GM Mustard, going against the report of a Technical Expert Committee (TEC).
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur asked the Centre to reply in two weeks on the plea and sought the assistance of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.
The petition has named Hem Pande, chairperson of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, as one of the respondent.
The plea also sought initiation of contempt proceedings against member secretary of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee of Ministry of Environment and Forests.

It alleged that "wilfully and deliberately" they have disobeyed the explicit orders of the apex court dated May 8, 2007, February 15, 2007, April 8, 2008 and August 12, 2008 and for wilfully proceeded with numerous GMO field trials in food crops.
"These field trials have ignored fundamental bio-safety precautions as ordered by the court. Contamination during open field trials is specifically barred in the order of May 8, 2007 passed by this court," the plea said.