On Friday(3rd May),The Supreme Court has noted a PIL petition urging farmer welfare measures, including a price stabilisation fund. It calls on the Central government for a response, emphasizing the need for further substantiation.
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NEW DELHI: On Friday(3rd May), The Supreme Court taken note of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, which calls for the implementation of comprehensive measures aimed at improving the welfare of farmers, including the creation of a price stabilisation fund. The Court has called upon the Central government to provide a response to the petition, emphasizes the necessity for further research and substantiation of the claims put forth in the plea.
Agnostos Theos, the petitioner and Managing Director of The Sikh Chamber of Commerce, has been advised by Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan to enhance the groundwork of the case.
During the hearing, Justice Kant raised questions regarding the petitioner’s familiarity with expert reports and their stance on supporting farmers versus favoring the sugar lobby.
“You must conduct more thorough research and homework. The petition lacks clarity and evades critical issues. Have you consulted expert reports? Are you advocating for the welfare of farmers or representing the interests of the sugar lobby?”
-Justice Kant inquired.
Justice Viswanathan also joined the discussion, questioning the funding source for the proposed price stabilisation fund by asking-
“Will the funding for these measures come from the Central government?”
The PIL, filed through advocate Mridula Ray Bharadwaj, alleges that the Central government has not implemented effective measures to alleviate hunger and address the distress faced by farmers. It highlights the volatility of agricultural commodity prices in the international market, attributing it to discriminatory policies pursued by major players such as the USA and the European Union.
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In addressing these issues, the petitioner recommends crafting a comprehensive national policy for farmers and advocates for the government to pursue more favorable negotiations with the World Trade Organization. The objective is to safeguard the interests of Indian farmers and shield them from the negative repercussions of global trade dynamics. Additionally, to tackle the challenge of fluctuating crop prices, the petitioner proposes the establishment of a price stabilisation fund. This fund would act as a mechanism to alleviate the adverse effects of price volatility on farmers’ incomes.
Moreover, the petitioner underscores the importance of implementing an agriculture cess and creating a unified agricultural market platform to facilitate the effective sale of agricultural goods. The introduction of such a cess would generate supplementary revenue to bolster the welfare and progress of the farming populace. Additionally, the establishment of a centralized agricultural market platform would enhance the selling process, guaranteeing equitable and efficient transactions for farmers.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court had previously declined to entertain a plea by the same petitioner, which sought directions to the Central and State governments to address the demands of protesting farmers. These demands primarily revolved around the enactment of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for various crops. The Court’s decision to seek the government’s response on the current PIL reflects its continued engagement with issues concerning the welfare of farmers and the agricultural sector.
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CASE TITLE:
Agnostos Theos vs Union of India and anr.