Continuing our efforts to engage with the major political parties, we
met Dr Ajoy Kumar, National Spokesperson, Indian National
Congress to know his opinion on various policy issues within the
bioscience sector. Here are the excerpts from a freewheeling
discussion in which Ajoy responded to the questions on agri-biotech,
clinical research and broader issues on policymaking
How do you view the transformation in Indian
bioscience policy over last one decade?
The bioscience policy in India has evolved over the
period of time. From early 80s to 2016, there have
been lot many achievements to its credit. However,
it goes without saying that there are also some
important areas where we have to work seriously.
The sector now needs a big push.
To begin with, how do you look at the various
bottlenecks in the expansion of agri-biotech
industry in India?
I think the agriculture biotechnology needs a clear cut
strategy not only terms of financial gains but also
from the local need point of view. There are various
issues that are lingering on. For example, the royalty
paid for Bt cotton, farmers protection, innovation to
happen, they are not able to find a solution to these.
Recently the agriculture ministry came out with a
controversial order on sealing of variety. From public
perspective, it might sound like a very positive
decision but the government has done a huge mistake
of not discussing. It would have been better if they
had got all the stake holders in confidence and found
out solution on royalty because it affects the farmers
and on innovation for continuous product
improvement. And you need to get the regulators on
board to maintain a clear policy.
What is your take on the GM crops? How should
the government arrive at a consensus?
Currently only Bt cotton is allowed in India and the
logic behind that was because it can’t be consumed
and has given good yield. But now I will tell you
where we are going wrong on agri-biotechnology.
First of all we are not able to get the farmers
representatives and the companies on the same
platform. Lots of biotech food is consumed by
commoners in USA and Europe. And it is not that
India is unique. May be it is the lack of
understanding that it is not happening here.
“
The only body that can do the course correction is
the government. But the ministers in the
government due to their busyness or lack of
understanding or due to the lack of political
dividends continue to ignore it.
Unless the government takes right steps for
agriculture food mission and all the ministries are
on board on this issue, it is difficult to achieve single
point clearance.
The Department of
biotechnology which I feel is a
politically unimportant department,
has to get its proper due place. It has
to get a separate ministry for a proper
attention. A dedicated ministry can
deal with the regulatory approvals in
a better way rather than current
cumbersome approval process from
the various ministries.
Shouldn’t there be a single window clearance
system to enable that? Will congress party
support BRAI bill in the parliament?
It was under the UPA government’s time that the
Biotechnology Authority of India (BRAI) bill was
conceived. Therefore, we would surely support the
bill when the government brings it again on table in
the Parliament. We need to pass the bill but
government hasn’t taken it up yet.
What are the steps do you think we must take to
tap the potential opportunity areas in the agribiotechnology?
We need to identify the key biotech crops that are
important based on our domestic requirements. Soil
salinity in eastern parts of the country and issues
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