Appreciating the steps being taken by the Telangana government to prevent farmer suicides, a division bench of the Hyderabad High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice SV Bhatt on Monday pulled up the counsels representing Andhra Pradesh government for their casual approach on petitions relating to farmers’ suicides. The bench summoned the principal secretary for agriculture, AP to appear on Tuesday.
The Court appreciated the assistance being extended by the Telangana government in this case, when the TS government’s advocate presented the steps being taken to prevent farmer’s suicides and also to ensure the welfare of farmers.
When the petitions seeking information on steps taken by the governments of both states to prevent farmer suicides came up for hearing, special government pleader of Telangana, S Sharath Kumar, informed that they had filed a counter affidavit in this regard.
While pointing out that the government may introduce lucrative schemes for farmers’ welfare, the court observed the steps will yield results only when they reach the farmers, the bench sought to know the stance of AP government in the case.
The bench noticed that both the advocate general and additional advocate general of AP were not present in the court, and an assistant government pleader was representing the case, he was also not briefed properly.
Observing that the absence of senior law officers itself indicates a casual approach on part of the AP government, the bench summoned the principal secretary of the agriculture department, AP to be present before the court by 2.15 pm.
When the bench resumed hearing at 2.15 pm, the AGP informed the bench that the principal secretary was unable to appear before the court in view of Cabinet meeting in Vijayawada.
Later. the bench ordered the principal secretary of AP to be present before the court on Tuesday and adjourned the case.
Source: The New Indian Express