SC asks TN govt to spell out steps taken for farmers’ welfare

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Tamil Nadu government to spell out in detail the steps taken by it for the welfare of farmers on issues including fixing of minimum support price (MSP) of notified crops like paddy and millets.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra directed the K Palaniswami government to peruse the suggestions of the amicus curiae in the matter and file a comprehensive affidavit in four weeks.

“Additional Solicitor General P S Narsimha (appearing for the state) shall peruse the suggestions given by the amicus and file a comprehensive affidavit regarding what steps have been taken by the state,” the bench also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said.

The apex court was hearing a plea by farmers, through Tamil Nadu Centre for Public Interest Litigation, demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre.

During the hearing, advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the matter, submitted a six-page note enumerating the observations made by him on the state government’s affidavit regarding the farmers.

He also told the bench that he needed more information from the state government to know the ground reality about the farmers’ situation in the state.