The government said it will take a decision on the issue of commercial cultivation of controversial Bt brinjal only after holding a series of consultations with scientists, farmers, consumer groups and NGOs early next year.<br/><br/>Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said he proposes to have consultations with scientists, agricultural<br/><br/>experts, farmers' organisation, consumer groups and NGOs in January and February. He said the decision will be made only after the consultation process is completed and all stakeholders are satisfied that they have been heard to their satisfaction. Except two, all the members of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), after going through the recommendations of two expert panels set up to access the data on the transgenic vegetable, had approved its environmental release.<br/><br/>Sources said P M Bhargava and Ramesh Soni, members of GEAC, disapproved of its release. However, the government has reserved its decision amid dissenting voices from various quarters including civil society groups, NGOs and food experts. <br/><br/>The Environment Ministry has sought public opinion in the matter till the end of the year. However NGOs and a section of experts have strongly condemned GEAC's decision alleging the approval for Bt brinjal was given without taking in account the scientists' opinion.<br/> <br/>