PIL on drought: SC seeks response of Centre, 11 states

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre and 11 drought-hit states to file their response within next 10 days on actions taken by them for drought relief and management.

A bench headed by Justice M B Lokur asked the Centre and states concerned to also apprise it of steps taken for making available free food-grains guaranteed under National Food Security Act to all affected.

The bench, which was told that the responses are yet to be filed, has now fixed the PIL, filed by NGO Swaraj Abhiyan, for further hearing on January 18.

The PIL has sought ensuring of implementation of the National Food Security Act, which guarantees 5 kg of food grain per person per month.

Earlier, the court had issued notice on December 16 on the PIL.

Besides the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the court had sought responses from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha and Jharkhand.

The plea has also sought adequate and timely compensation for crop loss and input subsidy for the next crop to the farmers affected by drought and subsidised cattle fodder for animals.

The PIL, filed through Prashant Bhushan, alleged that the Centre and states "have been highly negligent in performing their obligations, causing enormous damage to the lives of the people due to their inaction, which is in contravention of the rights guaranteed under Articles 21 and 14 of the Constitution of India".