The Odisha Nari Samaj, a State-level federation of 54 tribal women’s organisations in 54 blocks, urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday to stop the dangerous field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops, including Bt Brinjal in the State.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, ONS spokesperson Karmi Beshra said Bt Brinjal would spoil traditional seeds and the rich soil of the State.
The Tamil Nadu Government has already banned field trials of the GM crop; so, Odisha should take an immediate decision in this regard, she added. “We are thankful to the State Government for imposing a ban on Bt Brinjal earlier after our dialogue with the then Agri Minister. Now again, the ghost has reappeared which needs to be stopped soon,” said Beshra.