The Tamil Nadu government said on Tuesday it would not allow cultivation of genetically modified brinjal and the earlier assurance given in this regard by chief minister M Karunanidhi was 'final'.

"The chief minister had said the state will not allow Bt Brinjal. And that is the final word. We will not allow (cultivation) of Bt brinjal," Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam informed the Assembly.

The Bt brinjal issue had been firmly opposed by civil societies, NGOs and a section of scientists and health experts on the genetically modified vegetable's effects on human health and soil fertility.

Meanwhile, responding to PMK's demand for a separate agriculture budget on the lines of Railways Budget, Arumugam said this was not possible. Even Centre did not have a separate budget for agriculture, he said.

Image: A protest march over Bt brinjal. | Photograph: Reuters