Activists opposed to genetically modified (GM) mustard today expressed shock at the sudden demise of Environment Minister Anil Dave, who had met them yesterday to hear their concerns about the issue.
Activists opposed to genetically modified (GM) mustard today expressed shock at the sudden demise of Environment Minister Anil Dave, who had met them yesterday to hear their concerns about the issue.
The activists, who had yesterday organised a protest outside the Environment Ministry, demanding an immediate rollback of the approval for commercial use of GM mustard, recalled, how their issue was given a "patient, polite and attentive hearing" by Dave.
They also recalled how, during the protest yesterday, they had urged the minister to come down and meet them to hear their concerns on a couple of occasions and how the minister had sent back the message saying he was unable to come down as he was not well.
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), a body of the ministry that evaluates genetically modified crops, had on May 11 recommended the commercial use of GM mustard. It was now left to Dave to take a final call on the issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who condoled the death of Dave, also tweeted that he was with the Environment Minister till late last evening, discussing key policy issues.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by Dave's demise. We met him only yesterday in relation to GM mustard, to share our concerns and evidence. He gave us a patient, polite and attentive hearing.
"He promised that he will bring up the matter in the right forum before any decision is taken. His commitment to environmental sustainability was apparent, in past interactions too, on climate change and natural farming," Kavita Kuruganti, from the Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), told
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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