New Delhi:: In a significant move to break the deadlock, the Supreme Court Tuesday stayed the implementation of three controversial farm laws enacted by the Union government till further orders.
The bench stayed the implementation of Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities Act as thousands of farmers are protesting against these laws.
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde also constituted a committee comprising Bhupinder Singh Mann, President of Bharatiya Kisan Union, Pramod Kumar Joshi, Director for South Asia International Food Policy, Ashok Gulati, Agricultural Economist and Anil Ghanwat, President of Shetkari Sangathana.
During the hearing, senior advocate PS Narasimha submitted in the court that this protest is being funded by a banned organisation Sikh for Justice.
The bench also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian asked the Union government to file an affidavit on the allegation made by advocate Narasimha.
“There is an allegation that a banned organisation helping this protest will confirm or deny it? SC asked Attorney General KK Venugopal.
The Attorney general confirmed to the court that banned Sikh organisations are infiltrating in the protest and submitted that an affidavit will be filed by Wednesday in this regard.
The bench also observed that they are concerned about the life and property of the citizens of India.
“We are concerned about the life and property of the citizens of India. We are trying to solve the problem in the best way we can. One of the power we have is to suspend the laws and also to constitute a committee,” the bench said.
Senior advocate P Wilson appearing for DMK MP Tiruchi Siva opposed the submission made by attorney General KK Venugopal that farmers from south India are not protesting against these laws. Advocate P Wilson said that farmers in Tamil Nadu are protesting against these laws.
Earlier Monday, the Supreme Court had criticised the Union government for its failure in handling the farmers crisis.
“We are extremely disappointed with the way Centre is dealing with this. Union of India has to take the responsibility. The laws has resulted in a strike and now you have to solve the strike,” the Court had said.
However, attorney general KK Venugopal, representing the Union government, had objected to the stay Monday stating that the laws are within the legislative competence of the Parliament. The attorney general also cited old judgments of the apex court.
“A law cannot be stayed unless its beyond legislative competence or violative of Fundamental rights of against any constitutional provision. Farm Laws are for their benefit,” he said Monday.
PNN