The Supreme Court has asked the government to provide a detailed report on steps being taken to help farmers. This comes after a long-standing case filed by an NGO called ‘Citizens Resource and Action and Initiative’ (CRANTI). The petition, first filed in 2014, initially focused on the suicides of farmers in Gujarat. However, in 2017, the Supreme Court broadened the case. It called for a national plan to support farmers and included all state governments as parties to the case.
During a recent hearing, the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, requested the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), Aishwarya Bhati, to submit information. The court wants to know about the actions taken by the central government, state governments, and other relevant groups to tackle the many problems that lead to the ongoing difficulties faced by farmers across India.
The court order stated, “Learned ASG seeks and is granted four weeks’ time to place on record the comprehensive details of the initiatives taken by the Union Government or the State Governments, or other stakeholders, to address the various causes that invariably lead to a distressing situation for the farmers on a pan-India basis.” This means the government has a month to gather and present this important information.
The bench also gave permission to the petitioners, CRANTI, to share their own suggestions and any information they have collected from different regions of the country. This allows for a balanced view of the situation, including the perspectives of those directly working with farmers.
Farmer distress is a serious issue in India, caused by various factors. These include unpredictable weather patterns, difficulties in accessing credit and markets, fluctuating prices for their produce, high input costs for farming, and sometimes, issues related to land holdings. Farmer suicides have been a tragic consequence of this prolonged distress, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in this matter is significant. By demanding a comprehensive report, the court aims to ensure that all levels of government and other organisations are actively working towards alleviating the problems faced by the farming community. The court’s decision to expand the scope of the original petition to a national level shows its commitment to addressing this critical issue affecting millions of lives. The forthcoming report is expected to shed light on the effectiveness of current policies and suggest areas where improvements are needed to ensure a better future for India’s farmers.