In a wake-up call to Tamil Nadu government, the Supreme Court on Thursday took stern exception to the State's lack of "humanitarian concern" and initiative in saving its farmers, who are reeling under severe drought and harsh living conditions, and preventing them from taking their own lives.
A Bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said it was the duty of the State government to protect its farmers, many of whom have been protesting in the national capital for the past 31 days for relief.
The court said it was both shocked and alarmed at the way Tamil Nadu government has remained silent and not even "extended a finger" to help the starving ryots who are at their tether's end.
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The court said the State cannot always bank on the Centre for help and needs to "rise up to the occasion" instead of blaming everything from drought to loan sharks.
"It is alarming to see that the State is still silent on this issue as farmers commit suicide," Justice Misra observed.
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The Bench directed the Tamil Nadu government to produce all records and files before it by May 2 and open it up for judicial inspection as to whether enough or anything has been done by the authorities to alleviate the farmers' misery.
Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appointed by the court as amicus curiae, observed that the same plight has befallen the farmers of other States including Maharashtra. But Justice Misra said the Bench did not want to "dilute" the issue and wanted to focus on Tamil Nadu exclusively.
"This is not one among the hundred cases filed here. This issue raises serious humanitarian concerns," the Bench observed.
The hearing was based on a petition filed by TN Centre for Public Interest Litigation highlighting the plight of farmers and the increasing number of suicides among them.