Vide the present writ petition, petitioners seek mandamus, declaring the action of Respondent No.2 in insisting upon submission of ‘No Objection Certificate’ from technology providers as a part of application for registration of plant varieties including transgenic varieties under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001 as unlawful, unconstitutional and contrary to the provisions of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001 and consequently to set aside the Public Notice dated 01/9/2015 and Minutes of the Meeting of the Respondent No.2 dated 14/8/2015 as well as the communication addressed to the members of the first petitioner calling for ‘No Objection Certificate’ from technology providers dated 25/3/2014 and 05/6/2014 as unlalwful, unconstitutional and contrary to the provisions of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001 and to direct the respondent No.2 to cause registration of the plant varieties as envisaged under the protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001 without insisting upon ‘No Objection Certificate’ from technology providers and to pass such other suitable orders as this Court may deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.
