BKS president criticizes National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill

BKS president criticizes National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 23: President of the Bharatiya Krishak Samaj (BKS) Krishan Bir Chaudury is not happy about the National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, which might soon be tabled in Parliament. He was speaking to journalists after participating in a seminar on biodiversity organized by the Nagarika Seva Trust. 

Labeling the bill as “draconian,” Mr. Chaudary said that the bill had flaws at the basic level. He declared that it was against the principles that accept agriculture as a state subject. 

Bringing attention to a clause in the Bill that penalizes anybody who publicly criticizes genetically modified crops and food, he said that the new bill sought to silence all critics. The clause is titled “Misleading public about genetically modified organism and products,” encourages the imposition of penalty, which includes imprisonment from 6 - 12 months or a maximum fine of Rs 2 lakh. 

Mr. Chaudury says that the most disturbing thing about the bill is that the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority will have the full power to enforce the provisions of the Act and will operate independent of the regular courts. 

Alleging that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has become susceptible to alien and extraneous forces, he called for a national referendum on genetically modified crops.