From: Shantu Sharma <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

Dear Friends,

I bring to you a new development in India. The chairperson of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, Sushma Choudhary has been shifted out as she did not allow imports of GM corn-soya blend by CARE-India and CRS. She also  rejected the Monsanto's Bt cotton, Mech 915, which was slated for cultivation in north India, this summer and also called for more field trials of GM mustard seeds.

The Indian agriculture minister, Ajit Singh was also forced to quit for taking a pro-farmer stand. Mr Singh apart from pleading forthe farmers of the  developing countries at WTO had also sought a change in the government's  policies to make India's drought-hit farmers competitive in global market.

The analytical piece in Today's 'The Financial Express', India discusses how  the lobby interests of MNCs can rule the roost and prevent development in  agriculture. PLEASE OPEN URL :-  http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=34992