ICAR expels farmers' member, who questioned genome-edited seeds, from governing body
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has expelled Varanasi-based farmer Venugopal Badaravada from the Governing Body (GB) as well as the General Body of the ICAR Society.
Mr. Badaravada, a farmers' representative in both the panels, had questioned the genome-edited seeds developed by the ICAR recently and had also alleged that the appointments in ICAR are not done transparently. The farmer said he has approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the decision to remove him from these bodies.
ICAR GB's member secretary Sanjay Garg said in the expulsion order that Mr. Badaravada has been sending various mails levying 'frivolous, baseless and materially unsupported allegations' against various authorities of the Union Government, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and the ICAR for the last seven-eight months. Mr. Garg added that Mr. Badaravada's demands were against the established rules and procedures of the ICAR and the Centre.
He alleged that the farmers' representative released press releases to the media houses in the capacity of the GB member of the ICAR Society, thereby acting against the interest of the organisation. 'By such acts, he has grossly tarnished the image of ICAR and has violated the very core intent of his being the member of the General Body and the Governing Body of the ICAR Society and has thereby involved himself in acts unbecoming of a member of the General Body and the Governing Body of the ICAR Society,' Mr. Garg said.
He said Mr. Badaravada made unreasonable financial and logistical demands in exchange for his cooperation in the investigation of his own allegations, including an appearance fees of more than ₹2 crore for each online session and a minimum of ₹500 crore personal insurance cover for in-person appearances, establishment of a fully staffed high-security office in North Block, New Delhi, a charter flight, premium accommodation, extensive security arrangements, and logistical support from ICAR.
'Additionally, he indicated that the in-person appearance fee is negotiable. Such unreasonable demands in the process of investigation of complaints indicate that he was not sincere in pursuing his complaints, and such complaints were made without any basis and supporting facts,' the ICAR official said, giving out the reasons for Mr. Badaravada's expulsion.
Mr. Badaravada said in his letter to Mr. Modi that he submitted multiple complaints since 2023 to the ICAR authorities, backed by detailed evidence. 'However, no action has been taken. Accordingly, I have submitted petitions to the Prime Minister, the President of Bharat, and others. These petitions, which highlight serious issues regarding corruption, mismanagement, and systemic failures in ICAR, were forwarded to the Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and to the ICAR Vigilance Wing for investigation and action,' he said.
He alleged corruption in the appointments for research management positions in ICAR and said it was a bigger scam than Vyapam. 'Narendra Modi Ji's clarion call — 'Na Khaunga, Na Khane Doonga' — resonates with millions of honest citizens. But unless acted upon swiftly, this nexus will continue to mock that very ideal,' he said demanding a CBI or Joint Parliamentary Committee-monitored investigation on the matter.
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