in 2011, the environment ministry had imposed a condition that trials cannot be conducted without a no-objection certificate from state government concerned. With the new guideline in place, Bihar, Orissa, Karnataka and West Bengal have refused trials. The data shows that only Delhi, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab are allowing trials. [...] Meanwhile, eminent scientists including Deepak Pental, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University, has sought PM’s intervention to ensure field trials. Pental had received a major setback in March this year when the field trial of GM mustard was stalled by the Rajasthan government apparently under pressure from anti-GM NGOs.