'Bt Brinjal decision will reflect public opinion'

Kochi, Feb 8: As the country eagerly awaits the government's final decision on the commercial introduction of Bt Brinjal, minister Jairam Ramesh said that the Feb 10 decision will mirror the general public sentiment.

"I have to be sensitive to the public opinion, be responsible to science. I have to look at the interest of consumers,producers and think of conservation of bio-diversity and yet think of the need to reduce the use of pesticides," Ramesh said.

"It is not easy to make a decision and I do not expect anybody to be happy with what I will decide," he added while interacting with reporters here.

When hinted that his stand on the genetically modified crop reflected 'double standards', the minister, who is known for losing his temper quickly, shot back saying that even before he had announced his decision, he was being accused of 'double standards'.

On Feb 6, Mr Ramesh ended the national consultation on the Bt Brinjal issue in Bangalore. The minister has the complete idea of the people's 'sentiments' on the crop as he faced protests during all his consultation meets while he heard another fraction speak favourably on the commercial use of the vegetable.

OneIndia News