The Central Information Commission has directed the government to make public the information on safety tests data of genetically engineered crops.

The commission noted that such details need to be divulged as a matter of "public interest."

The Department of Biotechnology, which failed to comply with the commission's order passed in April to disclose details of the toxicity and allergenicity data of four genetically modified crops, has now been directed to divulge data on BT brinjal.

The CIC's order of April 13 had also directed DBT to disclose bio-safety data of rice, okra (lady's finger) and mustard, after an Right to Information application was filed by Greenpeace activist Divya Raghunandan.

The information about these three GM crops were denied on reasons that the relevant data was yet to be generated. DBT has been directed to release the data within a stipulated time.

"It is quite clear that genetically engineered organism or cells are recognised by the government as an item potentially hazardous to public health. It automatically follows that full compliance with the rules is a matter of public interest," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said.