ICAR's Bt cotton variety 'Bikaneri Nerma' was approved by regulators in 2008

Seeds were distributed to farmers in 2009 and the variety commercialised

It was found in 2010 that variety's performance was poor and it contained Monsanto's GM cotton gene

ICAR set up committee to find out if the scientists have really made a distinct Bt cotton variety and how it got contaminated

The panel has found that while an independent variety different from that of Monsanto does exist in lab, but it got contaminated in 2004-2005

Though scientists noticed contamination in 2005, they went ahead with seed multiplication and commercialization

In what appears to be a case of serious scientific fraud and subsequent cover up, Indian scientists have been found guilty of commercialising contaminated genetically modified(GM) cotton seeds despite knowing about contamination for several years.The GM cotton variety in question- Bikaneri Nerma Bt or BN Bt- was developed by the Nagpur-based Central Institute for Cotton Research(CICR) of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research(ICAR).It was commercialised in 2009 and was touted as an alternative to GM cotton marketed by Mahyco. Two years back, Mahyco complained to ICAR that BN Bt, in fact, contained a gene developed by its partner Monsanto.Now, an expert panel which was asked to investigate the contamination has submitted its report. The report reveals how the contamination took place and scientists at various levels tried to cover it up. The five-member panel was headed by leading biotechnologist and JNU vice-chancellor S K Sopory.Not only has the panel confirmed contamination with Monsanto gene, it has hinted that the contamination may not be "accidental"."Accidental contamination would be difficult to explain", the report says citing several technical reasons. After Mahyco complained, the seeds were tested at two labs once again.Certain tests conducted in 2004 at the National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi showed it was indeed BN Bt while different batch of the same material taken to and tested at CICR in 2005 showed extensive contamination."Thus, assuming only accidental contamination can not explain what has happened", the report notes.The Indian variety was originally developed at the University of Agricultural Sciences(UAS), Dharwad and then further work was carried out at CICR Nagpur. The report says the variety got contaminated at Dharwad itself, where Monsanto variety was also being field tested.The most shocking part of the episode is the fact that scientists knew about the contamination and yet they went ahead with regulatory approvals and comercialisation of seeds."There were indications prior to commercial release in 2009 that BN Bt was contaminated. These were not formally brought to the attention of relevant authorities. Neither these indications were followed up appropriately by the scientist who observed them nor was any attention paid by others who came to know of them", the report has concluded."There seemed to extreme hurry to come up with public sector Bt cotton", it adds.CICR director Dr Keshav Kranthi knew there was something wrong with seeds brought by his predecessor Dr B.M. Khadi from UAS in 2005 itself.He kept silent for four years, participated in all bio-safety and other ICAR meetings, distributed seeds to farmers and even published papers in scientific journals. At UAS, the panel said, Dr Khadi and Dr I S Katageri were lax in maintaining purity of seeds."Dr Khadi should have been more careful, as he got the information from Dr Kranthi about the contamination in 2008", the report said.On the role of Dr Kranti, it says: "Dr Kranthi conducted analysis which gave him enough reasons to suspect about contamination in 2005 and 2008. Although these were crucial observations, he did not give written reports to his seniors."ICAR has been blamed for faulty planning and poor oversight of the project.