“There is a ongoing debate over GM crops at the global level. There are scientists and experts on both sides of the debate. We would take a decision on commercialization of GM crops after the conclusion of the debate,” said the new Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, S Jaipal Reddy after assuming office here on Monday.

However the Minister said that the decision would be taken on basis of scientific evidences and not on ideological grounds.

Reddy was shifted out from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and was made the new Science and Technology Minister in a major Cabinet reshuffle effected on Sunday.

According to sources Reddy, as Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, had refused to bow to the pressures of Corporate lobby who wanted an upward revision of pricing of gas reserves in the Krishna Godavari basin. He stood firmly by the principle that the current prices of gas would continue as agreed upon till 2014. This had been the reason for Reddy being shifted out of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry.

However, Reddy, who is known to be a firm believer in socialist ideology dismissed claims that he was unhappy with his new charge and said that he 'never haggled for portfolios'.

'The prime minister took me into confidence about the change in my portfolio and that was enough for me. I have never in my life haggled or bargained for portfolios,' he said.

'It has been my effort to be a faithful party man under a truthful (Prime) Minister and that shall be my focus and that has been my focus,' he added.

Asked whether he was given a reason for his removal from the petroleum ministry, Reddy said: 'No minister is ever told about the reason and I think the Prime Minister should not give the reason for change in a portfolio.'

He said that he has an 'excellent' relationship with Dr Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and that he had always been shown affection by him.

'I don’t take positions on portfolios and all my life I have taken ideological positions on issues... I’ve no regrets about portfolios,” he said.

In the Sunday’s Cabinet reshuffle M Veerappa Moily was made the new Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister.

Asked why he did not personally hand over the charge to Moily, he said he was busy learning about his new ministry.

“I told the secretary that I will come at five (p.m.) as I wanted to understand about this department. I am a student of social science, not of natural science so I needed time. I am not an officer to hand over charge,” he said.

“When I took over as petroleum minister, I did not let Murli Deora give charge to me. Moily came to see me...you are free to indulge in your imagination,” he added.

Reddy said that the science ministry was very important because it works in the areas of fundamental research.

The Minister said that he was excited in the intellectual sense to be in charge of this Ministry. “ I believe in the philosophy and the technology of science. I ardently share Nehru’s admiration for Science & Technology and offer my salutation to him for having laid the foundation of Science & Technology in the country”.

He said that he aims to increases the number of scientific researchers from 1.54 lakhs to 2.54 lakhs in the 12th Plan period. He also aims to bring India to the 5th position in Global Science and Technology from the current 12th position within the next five years. The Minister outlined his priorities in the Ministry on the occasion.