New Delhi: Congress today downplayed the
differences among various ministries on Bt brinjal, saying
that divergent views on the issue were coming out in public
domain which was "very healthy".
"On Bt brinjal, different opinions are coming out...The
manner in which it has played itself out is very healthy. It
is being played out in a transparent manner in public domain,"
party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here.
He said it was a process of synthesisation and
harmonisation on the issue.
The ministries of Environment, Science and Technology and
Agriculture reportedly have different opinion on genetically
modified food. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had earlier
put a moratorium on introduction of Bt brinjal.
Asked about the statement of Ramesh that Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh is his only supporter in the Cabinet, he said
only the minister can explain the context of his assertion.
To a query about the views of the party on the Bt brinjal
issue, the spokesman said that GM food was essentially in the
domain of the government and was not a political issue. "There
are different views which are being played out in public
domain," Tewari said.
The spokesman also downplayed an editorial in party
mouthpiece `Congress Sandesh` which referred to practical
difficulties in coordination among the PMO and various
ministries saying the magazine had an editorial board and at
times it was free to express its opinion.
PTI
