Indigenous GM mustard meant to make edible oil cheaper, reduce import: Centre to Supreme Court

The Centre in the Supreme Court on January 18 said growing Genetically Modified (GM) crops like mustard in India will make quality edible oil cheaper for the common man and benefit national interest by reducing foreign dependency.

“Mustard is the most used edible oil. GM oil has been used in India for decades now… What we are trying to do is make edible oil cheaper for the common man by growing oil seeds indigenously… 50 to 60 percent of edible oil is imported. Interests which are against India gaining food security and reducing foreign dependence are behind these PILs against GM Mustard…” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre, submitted in the Supreme Court.

A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol was shown the increasing demand for edible oil in the country.