Summary:
The high power committee of chief ministers headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the transformation of Indian agriculture at its second meeting on Friday decided to seek suggestions and objections from states on the application of Genetically Modified (GM) variant which is currently banned under the law. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath appealed that the Centre should take a decision on Gm technology as the country should not remain laggard. The high power committee's move deserves importance especially when farmers from Maharashtra and Haryana recently took a decision to grow unapproved Bt cotton even at the risk of facing legal action. Fadnavis, who chaired the second meeting, said the high power committee has taken a decision to lay emphasis on an increase in productivity, marketing and export. Further, the committee discussed upgrading agriculture technologies and development of seed varieties including GM seeds..