Maharashtra government will make final payments to all the hailstorm-affected farmers in the state by April 15, 2014. It will complete the survey of all affected farms in the state by April 5. "Otherwise we will hold you for contempt (of court)," Chief Justice Mohit Shah told the government on Friday during a hearing in the Bombay High Court.
The court also expressed concern about the situation of agricultural labourers who have not been covered under any government schemes. It directed the government to maintain transparency in the relief operation and to ensure public display of notifications and names of survivors who have received aid.
The division bench headed by the Chief Justice was hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) alleging state apathy and pleading for immediate relief to the farmers affected by the severe hailstorm in the state. The petitioners have pegged the losses to farmers at Rs. 42,000 crores.
The state government, during the proceedings, refused to oblige by the petitioners' plea that the survey of damaged crops should be conducted by using satellite imagery. The government submitted that it had
already completed more than 90 per cent survey by using the panchnama method. The farmers have alleged malpractice and inconsistencies in the method.
"Several villages have been skipped during the panchnamas. They have not been included despite requests. This entire method of disbursal is a scam. Many farmers have filed an affidavit before the court stating that the officials did not come to their villages at all for the panchnama," petitioner Prashant Hiray's counsel said.
The petitioners said that the toll of farmers' suicides was mounting in the state. "After the honourable court's order on March 21, 37 more farmers have committed suicide till date. This reflects that no relief is being granted to them," advocate Ashish Gaikwad said.
The petitioners also pleaded for immediate release of ad hoc payment to the survivors. "Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink. This is the condition of the farmers today. The government has a
well-equipped department for satellite imagery. Why isn't it using it for surveying the damaged fields? It should be directed to give interim assistance to the farmers till the survey process is complete," a petitioner pleaded.
The government pleader submitted that money will be transferred to the affected farmers electronically in their bank accounts, after the completion of survey. The court directed that any farmer who has grievances about surveys, should approach the talathi or tehsildar who will be bound to act within three days.
The court will hear the matter next on April 16.
