The Government today said that it has put in place a robust and transparent regulatory mechanism for examination of Genetically Modified (GM) crops.<br/><br/>Giving this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Agriculture Minister, Mr. Sharad Pawar said the Centre is following a case by case approval of GM crops even if it is approved for commercial cultivation in other countries.<br/><br/>He said the GM crops are monitored and reviewed at all stages of development including research and field trial stage.<br/><br/>The Minister said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting research on 18 crops for genetic modifications. He said the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology has also supported research programmes on potato, cotton, sugarcane and banana under nine different projects at different institutes.<br/><br/>