Andhra Pradesh government had filed an application before MRTPC on June 26, to initiate contempt proceedings against Maycho-Montanso and Montanso for violating the Commission's orders to reduce the 'trait value'.
Intended upon ignoring Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission's direction to reduce the peculiarity value of transgenic Bt cotton seeds, notice of enquiry has been issued to the US biotech major Monsanto and its fully owned Indian subsidiary Mahyco, recently.
The US biotech major Monsanto holds global patent rights for transgenic cotton seed technology, and charges peculiarity value equivalent to Indian Rs40 in China whereas Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech Ltd charges Rs 900 in India and could reduce to only Rs 880 per packet on June 11, even after the Commission directed it to do so.
The Commission now wants the rates at par with China and has also instructed companies to file their reply within six weeks, giving reasons for bringing down the trait value by only Rs 20 for a 450 grams Bt cotton seeds packet.
Monsanto argues that the matter is pending before the Supreme Court (SC) while MRTPC Chairman opined that since latter did not issue a stay, proceedings in the Commission should continue.
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