The State Government’s failure to disclose to the Karnataka High Court about the existence of the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMC) has now raised the question about the requirement of this 22-month-old public sector undertaking.
“The court cannot repose any confidence in the said corporation,” a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B.V. Nagarathna has said in its Thursday’s order.
The Bench made this serious remark during the hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed in March by the Kolar District Mango Growers and Sellers’ Association, which complained about lack of facilities and inadequate support for mango growers.
During previous hearing on Monday, the government had submitted to the court that the corporation has been established to take care of the needs of the mango growers in the State.
However, during Thursday’s hearing, it was disclosed to the Bench by S.S. Naganand, court-appointed amicus curiae and Senior Counsel, that the corporation was not established after the initiation of this PIL petition but was incorporated way back in January 2011.
Moreover, Mr. Naganand also submitted that despite its establishment in 2011, the corporation did nothing for the welfare of the mango growers except deliberating on appointment of directors, staff, holding meetings, etc.
Rehabilitation centre
Questioning the need for a separate corporation, Mr. Naganand contended that a corporation for mango growers would be, at the most, serve as a place for “political rehabilitation,” while pointing out that at least 10 such corporations created earlier are now officially identified for closure and some others are identified for privatisation.
Following these disclosures, the Bench said: “In the proceedings before us, we were not informed of the existence of the KSMDMC, which is stated to have been incorporated in January 2011. It is stated to have held its 5th Board Meeting on October 17, 2012. Once again, the court was not informed of these events. In these circumstances, the court cannot repose any confidence in the said corporation.”
With these remarks, the Bench directed the committee set up by it on June 26, 2012 under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary to look into mango-related issues, to hold its next meeting within three weeks and deliberate, in particular, all steps that are advisable for the mango season of the coming year, and adjourned further hearing till January 14, 2013.
