Delhi HC sets aside Kaveri Seeds KMH-50 registration under the Plant Act 2001
Registration of a variety of maize under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 came up for hearing before the High Court of Delhi on July 1, 2019. The case involved Pioneer Overseas Corporation and Kaveri Seeds Limited, wherein Pioneer had objected to the acceptance of Kaveri’s application for registration of a variety of maize, referred to as KMH-50 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, claiming that KMH-50 is identical to its variety of maize referred to as 30V92. Pioneer has also filed an application for registration of 30V92 under the Act.
The High Court while setting aside the orders confirming Kaveri's KMH-50 to be eligible for registration under the Plant Varieties Act 2001, also restored Pioneer’s application for conducting the special test in the nature of DNA profiling of the variety 30V92 and KMH-50 to the file of the Registrar, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority for considering it afresh, if necessary.
NGT questions delay in report on open cast mining in Chittorgarh
The issue of open cast mining in the city of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan which has led to serious environmental pollution was heard by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 1, 2019.
In its previous order, the NGT had asked the Surveyor General of India to submit a survey report which was to be done through drone as well as GPS and had even asked the Director General, Civil Aviation to consider the request of the Surveyor General of India for flying drones for the purpose of preparing the report.
The Court while expressing its disappointment at the delay in the submission of the report directed the Surveyor General of India to be present before the Tribunal on July 22, 2019, the next date of hearing. Further, mining in the municipal limits and Bassi Sanctuary has been stopped after the last direction issued by the Tribunal.