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Kerala politics: Left versus left over GM crops
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) polit bureau member S Ramachandran Pillai sent several of his senior partymen running for cover recently when he eulogised the genetically modified crops and castigated all those who opposed it as superstitious at a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram. Speaking on the topic “Agriculture in the era of globalisation”, Pillai was of the opinion that it would not be possible to enhance agricultural production without exploiting the advances in science and technology. Coming as it was from a party that has traditionally opposed technological advances, contending that it would be detrimental to the interests of the working class, the onlookers and political observers were shocked. The communists' opposition to tractors and computers in the early 1970s and 80s was legendary. Pillai said that the position of the CPM was that biotechnology was to be developed to boost production in the farm sector. He said this was essential especially for a state like Kerala which had a huge deficit in rice and other essential food produce. What was needed, according to him, was drought resistant seeds, and rice that would help fight anaemia that was very common among the poor of the third world countries. He wanted the central government to make public sector investments in GM technology.
The statement took the Left Democratic Front by storm and the Communist Party of India lambasted Pillai and his stance. CPI's Mullakkara Ratnakaran– the state agriculture minister– countered that there was no evidence that GM crops had a positive impact on the farm sector. He said that if the country persisted with such policies poor farmers would be left with no land. CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan fully endorsed Ratnakaran's stance. CPI national secretary A B Bardhan flayed CPM's new stance and demanded proofs that GM crops were safe and not harmful. Forest minister Benoy Viswom, also from the CPI, reiterated the party stand that it will not in any way support introduction of genetically modified crops in the state.
Sensing that things were getting out of control Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan stepped in to say that the state government had decided not to introduce GM crops after studying all the pros and cons. However, he added, that there was scope for more research and study on the technology. CPM Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, too, said that the state government would not introduce BT brinjal.
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Kerala politics: Left versus left over GM crops
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) polit bureau member S Ramachandran Pillai sent several of his senior partymen running for cover recently when he eulogised the genetically modified crops and castigated all those who opposed it as superstitious at a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram. Speaking on the topic “Agriculture in the era of globalisation”, Pillai was of the opinion that it would not be possible to enhance agricultural production without exploiting the advances in science and technology. Coming as it was from a party that has traditionally opposed technological advances, contending that it would be detrimental to the interests of the working class, the onlookers and political observers were shocked. The communists' opposition to tractors and computers in the early 1970s and 80s was legendary. Pillai said that the position of the CPM was that biotechnology was to be developed to boost production in the farm sector. He said this was essential especially for a state like Kerala which had a huge deficit in rice and other essential food produce. What was needed, according to him, was drought resistant seeds, and rice that would help fight anaemia that was very common among the poor of the third world countries. He wanted the central government to make public sector investments in GM technology.
The statement took the Left Democratic Front by storm and the Communist Party of India lambasted Pillai and his stance. CPI's Mullakkara Ratnakaran– the state agriculture minister– countered that there was no evidence that GM crops had a positive impact on the farm sector. He said that if the country persisted with such policies poor farmers would be left with no land. CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan fully endorsed Ratnakaran's stance. CPI national secretary A B Bardhan flayed CPM's new stance and demanded proofs that GM crops were safe and not harmful. Forest minister Benoy Viswom, also from the CPI, reiterated the party stand that it will not in any way support introduction of genetically modified crops in the state.
Sensing that things were getting out of control Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan stepped in to say that the state government had decided not to introduce GM crops after studying all the pros and cons. However, he added, that there was scope for more research and study on the technology. CPM Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, too, said that the state government would not introduce BT brinjal.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri Dean Business School IIPM
IIPM Excom Prof Rajita Chaudhuri
Kapil Sibal’s voters want Jan Lokpal, not Government-proposed Lokpal Bill
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"Thorns to Competition" amongst the top 10 best sellers of the week.
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'Thorns to Competition' - You can order your copy online from here
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