SC asks TN to spell out steps taken to address farmers distress

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to spell out the steps taken to ameliorate the plight of farmers.

The court also wanted to know if any awareness campaign was on to inform the farmers about the minimum support price of their produce.

A three-judge bench presided over by Justice Dipak Misra also asked the state government to tell the court about the steps it was taking to ensure establishment of 'mandis' and procurement centres within approachable distance from agricultural farms.

During the hearing, the bench also explained that it has entertained the PIL filed by 'TN Centre for PIL' only to ensure relief for farmers and ensure affirmative actions were being taken by the state government. The exercise should not be treated as adversarial but as participative proceedings, the court added.

Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appointed as amicus curiae, cited M S Swaminathan report showing lack of awareness about MSP in farmers, leading to rise of middlemen.

The court asked Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha, appearing for Tamil Nadu, to file its response by Friday in the PIL.