Tamil Nadu Centre For Public Interest Litigation, Rep By K.K. Ramesh vs State of Tamil Nadu

Heard Mr. Gopal Shankarnarayanan, learned amicus curiae for the petitioner. In his written note, learned amicus curiae apart from narrating the facts, had given certain short-term and long-term suggestions. As advised at present, we intend to focus on two aspects. One aspect pertains to availability of awareness pertaining to Minimum Support Price (MSP). Learned amicus curiae has produced the same in a tabular chart. It reads as follows :-

"MSP currently covers 26 crops

Aereals (7)

Pulses (5)

Oilseeds (8)

Others (6)

Paddy

Gram

Groundnut

Dehusked Coconut

Wheat

Arhar/Tur

Rapeseed/Mustard

Raw Cotton

Barley

Moong

Toria

Raw Jute

Jowar

Urad

Soyabean

Virginia flu cured Tobacco

Bajra

Lentil

Sunflower seed

Copra

Maize

Niger seed

Sugarcane

Ragi

Safflowerseed

Sesame eed

Procurement of crops is done by Food Corporation of India along with state agencies. Like the MSP, the state governments procure perishable commodities like fresh vegetables at a minimum price which is called Market Intervention scheme (MIS)"

The second aspect pertains to establishment of mandis within an acceptable radius of the holdings and for opening of procurement centres on time.

Mr. P.S. Narsimha, learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, submits that a resume has been set out for awareness camps and also steps have been taken to have mandis which are easily accessible and procurement centres have been opened.

We also made a query whether there is any programme in Doordarshan to make aware the farmers about the MSP, establishment of mandies and procurement centres. Mr. Narsimha prayed for three days'' time to obtain instructions in this regard and also submitted that, if anything is required to be done, he shall give suggestions and thereafter this Court can direct.

Mr. Shankarnarayanan, learned amicus curiae, shall also give suggestions how to spread the awareness amongst the farmers and apart from the modes adopted by the Government, if anything else can be thought of.

Mr. Narasimha, very fairly, stated that he does not take it as an adversarial litigation but a litigation in which the State must play a participative role. We appreciate the stand taken by the State.

Let the matter be listed on 8.5.2017.