Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh denied any NGO influencing his decision to put a moratorium on Bt Brinjal. He was responding queries on allegations that some NGOs based in Scandinavian countries funded the protests against Bt Brinjal.
He said his position on Bt Brinjal was determined by the positions taken by state governments on the issue. There was lack of consensus among the scientific community. Besides, tests were not completed and there was no independent professional mechanism which will instill confidence in the public. Ramesh said he did not ban Bt Brinjal and only put a moratorium on it .
