Consider the following statements

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: India does not import apples from the United States of America.

Statement-II: In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a)

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

(b)

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

(c)

Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

(d)

Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct*

Answer:

(d)

Explanation

Statement-I: “India does not import apples from the United States of America.” This statement is incorrect. India does import apples from various countries, including the United States of America. Apples are imported to meet domestic demand and supplement local production. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1956692 Statement-II: “In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.” This statement is correct. In India, the import of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), including GM foods, is regulated under the “Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export and storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The import of GMOs requires approval from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which is the competent authority in India.