Not in a hurry to approve GM crop commercialisation, says Prakash Javadekar

INDORE: Treading cautiously on contentious issue of commercialisation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, the Centre today said it will take a call on the matter only after the outcome of field trials and scientific research is available.

"There are doubts in public minds over the impact of GM crops. So we are not in a hurry to accord sanction for their commercialisation," Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

"We have given a green light for field trials and scientific study of GM crops. Such trials and research will take 8 to 10 years. After the outcome of trails and research, some decision will be taken," he said.

Javadekar was here to highlight the achievements of NDA Government's first year in office.

He said the Forests and Environment Ministry has given nod to 90 projects of Madhya Pradesh in just one year's time.

The previous UPA Government had discriminated against the BJP administration in Madhya Pradesh and held up sanction to these projects for 10 years, the Minister said.

He said 2 to 3 Ministries are working to find a way to safely dispose 350 tonnes of toxic waste lying in now defunct Union Carbide plant in Bhopal from where a gas leak in 1984 killed thousands of people and maimed lakhs others.

Javadekar said efforts are on to chart out a plan to develop thicket in the 36 hectares land close to airport and water bodies in Indore.