Info on GM Crops be revealed in public interest, CIC to Centre
The Central Information Commission asked the Centre to disclose information about bio-safety data on genetically modified crops.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the Centre to disclose in "public interest" information about bio-safety data on genetically modified crops.
"In light of the government rules (on genetically engineered organisms), we cannot agree that inspection of this information can be provided only in a restricted environment to members representing civil society," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said.
The Commission perused the government rules regulating manufacturing and processing of GM organisms indicating that they have a potential health hazard.
The order was passed on an application seeking details on toxicity and allergy threat from four genetically modified (GM) crops, which was gathered by the government during field trials of transgenic rice, okra (ladys finger), mustard and brinjal.
The Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) had failed to provide information to Divya Raghunandan, an environmentalist associated with Greenpeace, who sought the details to study the health and environmental implications of GM crops.
The Commission directed DBT to provide information on BT-brinjal within 20 days, and has asked it to provide a time frame by which details on bio-safety data regarding the remaining three crops could be given.
The department had contended that the safety data relating to BT-rice, mustard and okra was yet to be generated.
The CIC, in its earlier order of April 13, had directed DBT to come out with the related information concerning the four GM Crops, but it failed to comply with the Commission's order.
"In light of the government rules (on genetically engineered organisms), we cannot agree that inspection of this information can be provided only in a restricted environment to members representing civil society," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said.
The Commission perused the government rules regulating manufacturing and processing of GM organisms indicating that they have a potential health hazard.
The order was passed on an application seeking details on toxicity and allergy threat from four genetically modified (GM) crops, which was gathered by the government during field trials of transgenic rice, okra (ladys finger), mustard and brinjal.
The Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) had failed to provide information to Divya Raghunandan, an environmentalist associated with Greenpeace, who sought the details to study the health and environmental implications of GM crops.
The Commission directed DBT to provide information on BT-brinjal within 20 days, and has asked it to provide a time frame by which details on bio-safety data regarding the remaining three crops could be given.
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The department had contended that the safety data relating to BT-rice, mustard and okra was yet to be generated.
The CIC, in its earlier order of April 13, had directed DBT to come out with the related information concerning the four GM Crops, but it failed to comply with the Commission's order.
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