BRAI Bill criminalising opposition to GM food: NGO

VADODARA: A Gujarat-based NGO has alleged that the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill introduced in the Parliament aims at "criminalising" opposition to the genetically modified (GM) food.

Suman Sahai, who leads the 'Gene Campaign', an organisation, said that according to this "draconian bill", those creating hurdles in the campaign against the GM food, can get three months of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

He was speaking at a seminar on the subject which was organised by 'Jatan', an NGO, here yesterday.

"The BRAI Bill aims at criminalising opposition to the genetically modified (GM) food. This draconian bill has been introduced in the Parliament without taking into account evidence constantly streaming in from around the world about the safety risks posed by GM food crops," Sahai said.

"The decision about what to eat and what not to, cannot be left to three to four scientists or technocrats," he added.

Secretary of Akhil Bharat Sajiv Kheti Samaj said, "The MPs are not fully aware about various provisions of this bill and it has been referred to the science committee without taking opinion of the people, who are supreme in democracy and need to be consulted."

BJP MP Balu shukla extended his support to India's environmental and food security activists who have so far succeeded in stalling attempts to introduce genetically modified (GM) food crops into this largely farming country

Shukla invited the experts to join with him in taking up this matter with MPs in parliament and making them aware on the impact of this bill on small farming community and several provisions of the bill.