The Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned the Chief Secretaries of nine drought-affected States to appear on April 26 and explain their failure to implement its judgment for enforcement of the Food Security Act (FSA).
“It is a matter of concern that a Parliamentary statute is not being given importance. State Food Commissions, as mandated under Section 16 of the National Food Security Act have not been appointed. It is a matter that concerns Article 21 (right to life) of citizens," said a Bench of Justices Madan B lokur and NV Ramana, while passing the order.
Taking serious exception to the manner in which States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Haryana failed to appoint the Food Commission, thus giving a “go by” to the mandate of the Parliament, the Bench decided to send a tough message to the erring States by asking the Chief Secretaries of the respective States to remain present in Court on the next hearing.
“We require the Chief Secretaries to appoint the State Food Commission and the details should be furnished. Details should also be given with regard to section 15 of the National Food Security Act by which State Governments have to frame rules for the appointment or designation of the District Grievance Redressal Officer,” the Bench said in its order.
The Court asked the respective State counsels to take instructions on whether a social audit can be conducted to test the benefits on ground. This has been provided under the Act itself.
Although, the Court initially passed similar orders against Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana, they were exempted after the counsels for the States pointed compliance with certain directions. Telangana even claimed to have initiated the process of constituting the State Commission.
The order of the Court came on a plea filed by NGO Swaraj Abhiyan that drew the attention of the Court to the severe conditions of drought faced by farmers and the lack of mechanism to deal with such situations. A slew of orders were passed by the Court while disposing the PIl in December 2016 and the same were listed before the Court for monitoring of its directions.