Take Steps To Protect Food Grains Lying In Open From Rains : Madhya Pradesh High Court

On a petition alleging that this is a perennial problem in the State and that a substantial quantity of wheat got damaged after it was submerged with water during recent rains, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla directed,

"State shall immediately conduct a survey in all districts of the State through Collectors concerned and find out where the food-grains are lying in open and take immediate remedial measure, and make necessary arrangements, for their protection from rains, by use of tarpaulin/plastic sheets or by any other similar material or make any other arrangement as may be required, including by raising peripheral masonry walls and submit a report thereabout in the Registry of this Court before the next date of hearing."

The Petitioner has sought a direction to the Union of India, Food Corporation of India, State of Madhya Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistic Corporation to take immediate steps for proper storage and preservation of food grains, procured by the State by spending public funds of thousands of crores of rupees.

It was contended that over 1 million tonne wheat is lying in open in Jabalpur, Satna and Rewa regions alone. Further, not less than 10 million tonnes of wheat/food grains are lying in open in similar manner in different parts of the State because of shortage of godowns with the Respondents.

The Court has issued notice to all the Respondents and has fixed the matter for hearing on June 23.

Meanwhile, as a temporary measure, the State has been advised to use tarpaulin/plastic sheets to protect the existing food stock.

Case Title: Gulab Singh v. Union of India & Ors.

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