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The Madras High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking subsidy in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices for farmers engaged in mechanized farming. 

The PIL filed by one Ayyaa, sought direction on the state respondents to ensure adequate food security to rural population through subsidies on diesel, petrol, and kerosene for farmers engaged in mechanized farming in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Ayyaa prayed for reduction of the price of diesel, petrol and kerosene for the use of machinery and vehicles used in the agriculture.

The Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy however, dismissed the petition stating that the matter pertains to public policy and that the Court can not order the state to take a public policy decision. 

"The prayer made in this writ petition does not come under the judicial scrutiny, as the aforesaid prayer comes within the policy decision of the Government and for that a direction in the nature as sought by the petitioner cannot be granted. It is upto the Government to frame a policy for grant of subsidies on Diesel, Petrol and Kerosene," the Court stated. 

Cause Title: Ayyaa vs Union of India & Ors.