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2017 Supreme(SC) 996
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Dipak Misra, A.M. Khanwilkar, Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, JJ.
Tamil Nadu Centre For Public Interest Litigation, Rep By K.K. Ramesh – Petitioners
Versus
State of Tamil Nadu And Anr – Respondents
Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 9839 of 2017
Decided On : 03-05-2017
The main legal point established in the judgment is the importance of creating awareness about Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the establishment of mandis and procurement centers for the benefit of farmers.
Headnote:
MSP - Establishment of Mandis and Procurement Centers - The court focused on the availability of awareness pertaining to Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the establishment of mandis within an acceptable radius of the holdings and for opening of procurement centers on time.
Fact of the Case:
The court discussed the availability of awareness pertaining to Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the establishment of mandis within an acceptable radius of the holdings and for opening of procurement centers on time.
Finding of the Court:
The court acknowledged the submissions made by the learned amicus curiae and the Additional Solicitor General regarding the steps taken by the State of Tamil Nadu to create awareness and establish mandis and procurement centers.
Issues: The issues revolved around the availability of awareness about MSP, establishment of mandis, and opening of procurement centers, as well as the role of the State in spreading awareness amongst the farmers.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the need for awareness camps, steps to make mandis easily accessible, and the opening of procurement centers on time. It also appreciated the participative role taken by the State in the litigation.
Final Decision: The matter was listed for further consideration on a specific date.
ORDER
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 :-
| 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 | ||
| Sesameeed |
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)"
2. The second aspect pertains to establishment of mandis within an acceptable radius of the holdings and for opening of procurement centres on time.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
