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Environmentalists, farmers to launch agitation against introduction of BT maize in Punjab
Punjab Newsline Network
Saturday, 19 June 2010
CHANDIGARH: Environment activists led by the Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) and the Bharti kisan Union(BKU) on Friday said they would launch agitation and oppose every move of Punjab Government to promote BT maize seed in the state as genetically modified variries would take a toll on the environment.
The activists also demanded that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should explain on what basis his government had offered to introduce BT maize in the state to reduce the area under paddy cultivation.
KVM head Umender Dutt claimed that as per the latest scientific studies GM maize adversely affected the kidney and liver and that a study by the Austrian Government had also linked it to infertility.
Questioning the intention of the Chief Minister, social activist Hemant Goswami claimed it was apparent that the CM and his family were favouring industry for reasons best known to them. “The Punjab Government is pushing poison down the throat of people of Punjab,” he added.
Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta- Ugrahan), lamenting this move, claimed the genetically modified (GM) nexus was further trying to entrap farmers on the basis of many false claims.
The activists also demanded that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should explain on what basis his government had offered to introduce BT maize in the state to reduce the area under paddy cultivation.
KVM head Umender Dutt claimed that as per the latest scientific studies GM maize adversely affected the kidney and liver and that a study by the Austrian Government had also linked it to infertility.
Questioning the intention of the Chief Minister, social activist Hemant Goswami claimed it was apparent that the CM and his family were favouring industry for reasons best known to them. “The Punjab Government is pushing poison down the throat of people of Punjab,” he added.
Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta- Ugrahan), lamenting this move, claimed the genetically modified (GM) nexus was further trying to entrap farmers on the basis of many false claims.
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