Charges against US cos on BT cotton seed upheld: AIKS

Vijayawada, Apr 11 (UNI) The All India Kishan Sabha (AIKS) today claimed the Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) had upheld the charges made against American multinationals Monsanto and Mahiko on collecting 277 per cent royalty on 450 gm of Bt cotton seeds.

Addressing a press conference here, AIKS Vice President Kolli Nageswar Rao said the DGIR submitted a preliminary report before the Monoplies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC)upholding the charges.

The investigation followed after the CPI-affiliated Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangam (APRS) submitted a petition to the Commission holding Monsanto and Mahiko responsible and culpable for farmers' woes.

In January, the MRTPC issued notices on a separate petition filed by the Andhra Pradesh Government seeking action against the Amercian companies.

Expressing happiness on the DGIR report, Mr Rao demanded the MRTPC to reduce the royalty on the seeds to eight per cent.

Mosanto had recently reduced the 'tait value' this year from Rs 1,250 to Rs 900 for a packet of BT cotton seeds.

From the government's petition, it was evident the 'trait value' was still higher by over eight times than what Mosanto charged the American farmers.

The DGIR urged the MRTPC to conduct a probe into the 'monopolistic and restrictive trade practices' adopted by the respondent to determine a reasonable 'trait value' and safeguard the farmers' interests.

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