THE All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has condemned the decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) to revalidate the field trials for ten varieties of genetically modified (GM) food crops as well as other crops in a hasty manner despite serious concerns expressed by wide sections. This decision is a bonanza given on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections to the Indian and multinational agribusinesses, and reeks of corrupt intentions. It is undemocratic and in violation of the Election Commission’s guidelines as well. Hence the AIKS has urged the Election Commission of India to intervene in the matter and stall this undemocratic move which has bypassed the parliament and is aimed at aiding the profiteering by big agribusinesses.  In a statement issued from New Delhi on March 22, the AIKS pointed out that the Environment Ministry took its hasty and non-transparent decision to allow field trials on the eve of announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, and despite the absence of a stringent mechanism to ensure bio-safety as well as of a strong regulatory body. It has thus opened the floodgates for field trials and set in motion some fast-paced developments. The AIKS said the decision covers rice, wheat and maize, which form a part of the staple diet in most parts of India, as well as cotton and sorghum; these are some of the crops to be subjected to trials over large areas. Over 70 new proposals, including those about many food crops, will also be examined by the GEAC in April. More than 100 GM food crop trials are also reported to be in the pipeline in different stages of their development. The AIKS statement also noted that the Supreme Court is hearing a case on the contentious subject of field trials and need for an effective regulatory mechanism for biotechnologies. In addition, the technical expert committee appointed by the court had recommended a moratorium on all field trials till an effective and independent regulator is put in place. The applications for revalidation were made by companies whose permits had lapsed as they were opposed by states. The said decision, at a time when elections have already been announced, requires the approval of the Environment Ministry as well as of the states, as agriculture is a state subject. It must also be seen in the context of inevitable lapse of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill as the Lok Sabha now stands dissolved. It may also be noted that the ministry’s decision will allow the MAHYCO, BASF India and Monsanto India to go ahead with wider or second phase field trials for these genetically modified crops.  The Kisan Sabha has therefore asked that the said decision must be kept in abeyance and a new decision must be arrived at later, in a transparent manner that is above suspicion, after the constitution of the new Lok Sabha, through wide consultations with all the stakeholders and after meeting the norms of federalism