The Delhi High Court has cleared the way for the Central Government to bring Bt cotton seeds under a price control regime after it rejected Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (India) Pvt. Ltd's (MBBL) plea to put on hold the Centre's cotton price control order.
The Government's price control order mandates a panel to fix the maximum price for Bt cotton seeds.The Delhi High Court has cleared the way for the Central Government to bring Bt cotton seeds under a price control regime after it rejected Mahyco #
MMBL had appealed for quashing certain provisions in the price control order, specifically those allowing the Government to royalty fees. In its petition, MBBL had argued that the price control order is “illegal and unconstitutional” and the Government can't regulate its prices.
On January 27, the Agriculture Ministry had set up a nine-member committee under a joint secretary to execute its cotton price control order issued on December 7, 2015.
The central price control order aims to keep Bt cotton seed prices affordable for farmers and bring uniformity in prices across states.
Around eight million farmers grow cotton in India and the double gene Bt cotton technology supplied by MMBL accounts for 95 per cent of the seed market.
MMBL supplies the genetically modified Bt cotton technology to 49 seed companies in India in exchange for a trait or royalty fee. (SH)
ALCHEMPro News Desk – India
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