The Supreme Court Monday sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking stay on its decision to allow the commercial roll out of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop in the country.
It asked the Centre, petitioner NGOs and activist Aruna Rodrigues to come up with some scientific data and studies to substantiate their arguments.
It also asked the chairman of Technical Expert Committee (TEC), set up by the apex court, to be present on next date of hearing to assist in the matter.
A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee said it would like to hear the matter at length next month "as these issues cannot be kept pending for long".
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Rodrigues, said that government had earlier assured the court that before allowing commercial roll out of GM mustard crop in the country, it would seek the court's permission.
Bhushan said a TEC report has pointed out that the entire regulatory system was in shambles and a 10-year moratorium should be given.
He said that despite court's order and contrary to the report of TEC, the government has allowed commercial use of GM Mustard crop.
The top court said: "It is a matter which requires detailed hearing. All the parties should file written arguments in detail before the next date of hearing."