(Dipak Misra, A.M. Khanwilkar and Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, JJ.)
Tamil Nadu Centre for Public Interest Litigation, Rep by K.K. Ramesh _____________________________________ Petitioner(s)
v.
State of Tamil Nadu and Anr. _______________________ Respondent(s)
Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 9839/2017, decided on May 3, 2017
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
1. Heard Mr. Gopal Shankarnarayanan, learned amicus curiae for the petitioner. In his written note, learned amicus curiae apart from narrating the facts, had given certain short-term and long-term suggestions. As advised at present, we intend to focus on two aspects. One aspect pertains to availability of awareness pertaining to Minimum Support Price (MSP). Learned amicus curiae has produced the same in a tabular chart. It reads as follows:—
“MSP currently covers 26 crops
| Aereals (7) | Pulses (5) | Oilseeds (8) | Others (6) |
| Paddy | Gram | Groundnut | Dehusked Coconut |
| Wheat | Arhar/Tur | Rapeseed/Mustard | Raw Cotton |
| Barley | Moong | Toria | Raw Jute |
| Jowar | Urad | Soyabean | Virginia flu cured Tobacco |
| Bajra | Lentil | Sunflower seed | Copra |
| Maize |
| Niger seed | Sugarcane |
| Ragi |
| Safflowerseed |
|
|
|
| Sesame eed |
|
Procurement of crops is done by Food Corporation of India along with state agencies. Like the MSP, the state governments procure perishable commodities like fresh vegetables at a minimum price which is called Market Intervention scheme (MIS)”
2. The second aspect pertains to establishment of mandis within an acceptable radius of the holdings and for opening of procurement centres on time.
3. Mr. P.S. Narsimha, learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, submits that a resume has been set out for awareness camps and also steps have been taken to have mandis which are easily accessible and procurement centres have been opened.
4. We also made a query whether there is any programme in Doordarshan to make aware the farmers about the MSP, establishment of mandies and procurement centres. Mr. Narsimha prayed for three days’ time to obtain instructions in this regard and also submitted that, if anything is required to be done, he shall give suggestions and thereafter this Court can direct.
5. Mr. Shankarnarayanan, learned amicus curiae, shall also give suggestions how to spread the awareness amongst the farmers and apart from the modes adopted by the Government, if anything else can be thought of.
6. Mr. Narasimha, very fairly, stated that he does not take it as an adversarial litigation but a litigation in which the State must play a participative role. We appreciate the stand taken by the State.
7. Let the matter be listed on 8.5.2017.
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