The Supreme Court on Monday gave Centre four weeks to inform what ‘line of action’ was taken by States to deal with the ‘serious issue’ of farmers’ suicide.
The bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar took serious view of the grim reality facing farmers in the country in a PIl filed by Citizens Resource Action.
It said, “It is a very serious issue and the Centre should file the proposed line of action to be taken by States with regard to the farmers’ suicide.”
The Bench, also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul asked the Government to come out with a policy that dealt with the ‘root causes’ for farmers’ suicides.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Narasimha informed the Bench that all possible steps such as procuring food grains directly from farmers, increasing insurance cover, granting loans and crop loss compensation are being taken by the Centre. However, since Agriculture is a State subject, implementation of these measures rests with the States.