the Central government has decided to file a petition in the us court challenging the patent for basmati rice granted to a company there that exports it to different countries. The court was hearing a writ petition filed by the Research Foundation for Science against the Union ministry of agriculture.

The foundation's contention was that when a few non-government organisations ( ngo s) could file petitions there, why the government was hesitating to challenge the patent granted to basmati rice and harming national interest. Solicitor general Harish Salve said that technical and legal complications had delayed the government action.