YEARS
A bench of Justices Dipankar Dutta and Ujjal Bhuyan said that on the composition of the committee and the issues to be resolved by them, we have done our homework. We will do that. But we request both the states to assure the farmers that since now the court is considering creating a platform to reach out to their grievances.
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked both Punjab and Haryana state governments to persuade agitating farmers to vacate the highway at the Shambhu border, as the decision on the formation of an expert committee to address farmers’ concerns over minimum support price (MSP) and other issues was deferred till September 2. A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant also allowed the two states to suggest proposed terms of reference for the expert committee comprising independent persons related to agriculture.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan said, “On the composition of the committee and the issues to be resolved by them, we have done our homework. We will do that. But we request both the states to assure the farmers that since the court is now considering creating a platform to reach out to them with their grievances, the issue can only be resolved in accordance with law.” Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the court that the state authorities had held a meeting with farmer unions earlier this week and explored the possibility of clearing the Ambala-New Delhi national highway for partial movement of traffic, as suggested by the apex court on August 12.
Singh further said that the state is also ready to allow them to move on vehicles that are permitted as per the Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act). You should convince them to vacate the highway and remove their tractors and trolleys, the bench told the Punjab AG. Singh said that discussions are still going on, and the farmer unions have sought time to come back to the state’s suggestion.
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