Farmers' Distress- "Policy Needed To Take Care Of Paddy Sacks Which Get Drenched In Rain": Madras HC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance

Taking into account the media reports, the Madras High Court instituted suo motu proceedings in connection with the plight of farmers who are in distress as their paddy sacks get drenched in rain.

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy observed that it is necessary that some policy or measure be indicated to take care of the paddy which is harvested and sometimes left to dry in open fields, particularly in the month of June, when there is the odd chance of a heavy downpour.

Further, the Court directed that the matter would appear a week hence and expressed hope:

"That appropriate measures would be taken and put in place even before the matter appears next, particularly since there is a threat of further rain in the next few days."

The Court was presiding over the petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to open the paddy procurement centers where the cultivation is on a larger scale, without the farmers making representation for procuring their products, as they fear that due to lack of proper storage facilities, the paddy bags will start sprouting if the rain continues and to submit a report before this Court.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 17, 2021.

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