Diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes

New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Government today informed the Rajya Sabha that suggegions have been received to conserve prime farmland for agricultural and that it should not be diverted for non-agriucltural purposes.

In a written in the Upper House, Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria said that land is a State subject and, therefore, it is for the states to bring about suitable legislation regarding regulation of conversion of agricultural land for non- agricultural purposes. Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Programme of state Land Use Boards (SLUBs).

Some of the States, through the SLUBs, have issued instructions and executive orders to the line departments of their Government to ensure that prime agricultural land is not diverted for non-agricultural purposes, and if it becomes necessary to do so, then efforts may be made to provide equivalent land in lieu of diverted land.

Recently, the Centre has also provided a checklist to all the State Governments to consider at the time of approving/giving no objection for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

On GM crops in Chhattisgarh, the Minister said that Government of Chhattisgarh has not lodged any protest with the Central Government over the trials of certain Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the State. However, the State Government, on the basis of an enquiry, has informed Department of Biotechnology (the administrative department for Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation) that some administrative and scientific lapses have been observed in the trial of Bt Rice and Bt Okra.

Further on GM crops, Mr Bhuria said that Bt Cotton, developed by Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (India) Ltd, J K Agri Seeds Ltd and Nath Seeds, is the only GM crop approved by Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests,l for commercial cultivation in the country.

All GM crops are tested for bio-safety, efficacy, advantage and economic viability of the introduced trait, prior to granting permission for their release in the environment, the Minister added.

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