The Madras High Court on Thursday took Suo Motu cognizance of the plight of farmers on account of paddy sacks being damaged due to a lack of proper storage facilities for storing the sacks as the state witnesses heavy rainfall.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy noted: “It is necessary that some policy or measure be indicated to take care of the paddy which is harvested and sometimes left to dry in open fields, particularly in the month of June, when there is the odd chance of a heavy downpour.”
The development came in light of an article published on June 7, 2021 in the Times of India, Chennai Edition, claiming that farmers were in distress as paddy sacks get drenched in rain.
The bench issued notice to the Ld. Advocate General for the State and sought response of the state government on the measures taken for establishment of paddy procurement Centres for storing paddy bags.
The Court underscored: “it is hoped that appropriate measures would be taken and put in place even before the matter appears next, particularly since there is a threat of further rain in the next few days.”
The matter is adjourned to 17.6.2021.