The Supreme Court requested responses from the Central government, as well as the states of Punjab and Haryana, regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at establishing policy guidelines. This PIL seeks to address issues related to policy formulation and implementation within the respective regions. The court’s action underscores a growing focus on governance and regulatory frameworks at a regional level.
New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court requested responses from the Central Government, as well as the governments of Punjab and Haryana, concerning a legal petition aimed at establishing a fixed Minimum support price (MSP) for alternative crops cultivated by farmers. This MSP should be subject to periodic adjustments to accommodate changing agricultural and economic conditions, with the government committed to purchasing these crops.
The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued formal notices to the involved parties, including the Centre, the states of Punjab and Haryana, relevant pollution control boards, agricultural universities, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These entities have been directed to submit their formal replies regarding the petition.
The case scheduled for further discussion in the second week of July by the bench. In his petition, advocate Charanpal Singh Bagri requested that the minimum support price for “alternative crops” be established at a level higher than the MSP currently set for paddy. This plea emphasizes the need to incentivize the cultivation of these alternative crops through more favorable pricing policies, addressing both economic and agricultural sustainability concerns.
Advocate Charanpal Singh Bagri highlighted the dire circumstances facing farmers in Punjab and Haryana, compelled to cultivate wheat and paddy due to the availability of a minimum support price (MSP) and government procurement, despite significant adverse effects.
Bagri noted,
“Farmers of Punjab, Haryana are helpless to grow crops of wheat and paddy as same have MSP and procured by the government, despite of the fact that crop of paddy has primarily created threefold hurdles, fast depletion of underground drinkable water, pollution due to stubble or paddy straw burning, and creation of financial burden on the State for storing excess paddy during the paddy season.”
He argued that farmers should instead be encouraged to grow crops suited to their specific geographic location and soil quality by setting an MSP for each crop, thus promoting agricultural diversity and sustainability.
Bagri’s petition also calls for agricultural universities to develop and distribute new varieties of seeds, particularly for pulses and other crops currently imported, to reduce dependence on foreign sources.
Read Also:Nuh Violence: PIL In SC To Stop Rallies by VHP-Bajrang Dal in Delhi
He proposed that,
“The MSP should be at higher rates and a condition may be imposed that farmers should use a limited prescribed quantity of pesticides so that organic crops may be provided to the citizens, aiming to encourage more sustainable farming practices.”
He further pointed out the grim reality for farmers without adequate support, stating that in the absence of MSP and government procurement, many are left in such despair that they feel compelled to commit suicide.
The petition also included a request that agricultural universities develop and supply new varieties of seeds for pulses and other crops that are typically imported from abroad. This measure aimed at reducing reliance on foreign imports, enhancing self-sufficiency in agricultural production, and potentially introducing crops that are better suited to local environmental conditions. By cultivating domestically developed varieties, farmers could benefit from crops that are more adapted to the local climate and soil, potentially leading to improved yields and sustainability.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
