Supreme Court Adjourns Farmers Protest Matter In View Of Ongoing Talks Between Protesters & Union Govt

The Supreme Court today(February 28) was informed that the "discussions" between the protesting farmers and the Union Government are currently going on. 

Advocate General of Punjab, Gurminder Singh, informed a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh that two meetings, on February 14 and 22, have taken place so far. Another meeting is scheduled to be held on March 19. Apart from the delegation from the Union Government, a court-appointed High Powered Committee is also engaged in talks with the protesting farmers.

Today, Justice Kant suggested that the full-time member of the Committee must be paid.

The committee members are: Justice (Retd.) Nawab Singh, Former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court – Chairperson; Shri B.S. Sandhu, IPS (Retd.) former Director General of Police, Haryana, who otherwise hails from the State of Punjab - Member; Sri Devinder Sharma, – Member; Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghumman, Prof. of Eminence at GNDU, Amritsar (Punjab) and Prof. (Economics) at CRRID – Member; Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Agricultural Economist, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana -- Member and. Special Invitee - Professor BR Kambhoj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Agriculture University , Hisar.

On this Singh said: "My instructions are substantial amount has been paid."

Justice Kant pointed out that this is only towards the expenses incurred. Therefore, the Court ordered: "Talks are going on within the Union Government and farmers in which two Ministers of State Government participated. Keeping these averments in view, post these on..we have also perused the interim status report of the High Powered Committee on February 24, 2025. We appreciate the efforts of the Committee so far. We have no doubt that the Committee shall continue their endeavour to provide a platform for peaceful and amicable resolution of disputes. While most members of the High Powered Committee are serving or retired dignitaries, one of the member is a full-time member not holding any office. Consequently, as interim measure, we direct that he will be paid a sum of Rs 1 lac in addition to other expenses to which the directions have already been issued. An honorarium of 2 lakhs per meeting be paid to the Chairperson and other members, who committee finds that are not drawing salary from the institute, they also be paid an honorarium of 1 lakh."

On January 22, the Court was informed that farmers' leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has accepted medical intervention after the Union initiated talks with the farmers protesting over issues like minimum support price.

Case Details: LABH SINGH v. K A P SINHA AND ANR. CONMT.PET.(C) No. 930-933/2024 in SLP(C) No. 6950-6953/2024;; STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR. v. UDAY PRATAP SINGH AND ORS, SLP(C) No. 6950-6953/2024; THE STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR. v. UDAY PRATAP SINGH AND ORS. SLP(C) No. 15407-15410/2024 [Shambhu border blockade]

Click Here To Read/Download Order