Supreme Court seeks response from the Center on petitions challenging agricultural laws

The Supreme Court has sought answers from the Center on petitions challenging the legality of recently enacted agricultural laws.

These Bills are constantly opposed by the Congress leadership in Punjab. 

A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde had earlier refused to hear this PIL, stating that since the laws have been issued, there is no point in hearing them.  The bench then sought reply from the Center on another PIL filed by Chhattisgarh Kisan Congress leader Rakesh Vaishnav.

The Chief Justice told Attorney General KK Venugopal instead of replying to them in various High Courts, you should file an answer in this court.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice had earlier told ML Sharma, counsel for the petitioners, the law has passed, so there is no reason to take action.

The petition filed through advocate Fauzia Shakeel said, this bill is to encourage corporatisation of agriculture in the country. Whereas farming is the lifeline of poor farmers.  The Act is primarily about compromising the interests of farmers and leaving them at the mercy of sponsors rather than resolving their disputes.

Now, further hearing of this case will be after 4 weeks.

By Priya Kumari