7 chief secys brief top court on steps for drought relief

Chief secretaries of seven of the nine states summoned by the Supreme Court appeared in person to explain the steps taken by them on drought relief, in particular the setting up of State Food Security Commissions as contemplated under the Food Security Act.

On March 22, taking serious view of the non-implementation of drought relief measures, the apex court had asked the chief secretaries of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to be personally present in the court on Wednesday.

While chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand were present on Wednesday, those of Karnataka and Telangana were absent. The chief secretary of Chhattisgarh made his presence in the court in the morning and left in view of the killings of CRPF personnel.

While exempting Telangana chief secretary in view of the visit of President Pranab Mukherhjee, the court refused to grant exemption to Karnataka and directed its chief secretary to be present in the court on Thursday.

A bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and N.V. Ramana was hearing senior counsel Prashant Bhushan of Swaraj Abhiyan, contending that the 10 drought-affected states had not implemented the relief measures. He pointed out the states had not set up Food Security Commissions as provided under the Food Security Act.

During the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the bench was not satisfied with the progress made by MP, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra as they failed to fully constitute the commission and that some members were yet to be appointed.