We are not here to entertain PILs by Politicians; issue can be later used for publicity: CJ Ujjal Bhuyan
Telangana High Court was of the opinion that politicians may utilise PILs to gain publicity and they might also mismanage the issue.
While disposing of a plea filed by politician and social activist Payal Shanker, the Telanagana High Court yesterday remarked that it was not in favour of entertaining politicians who file Public Interest Litigations (PILs), reported The Hans India.
Shanker had filed a petition alleging inaction on the part of Central and State Governments and insurance companies in paying compensation to farmers of State's Adilabad district in spite of them having paid premiums in 2018-19 for Kharif and Rabi seasons.
Although a bench comprising of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy directed the respondents to pay the entire amount within three months to the concerned farmers and disposed of the plea, the Chief Justice was irked on knowing that the plea was in fact filed by a politician.
They (politicians) will publicise that since they filed the case, because of them the public got advantage and they also might mismanage the issue, the CJ opined.
Shankar in his plea alleged that in spite of a Government Order dated November 23, 2019, the State Agriculture and Cooperation departments ignored the risk period as mentioned in both Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the re-structured weather-based crop insurance scheme.
In spite of giving representations, the concerned authorities are not responding, which is immoral and illegal, he further told Court.
Accordingly, the High Court was urged to direct the Central and State governments to immediately release their respective shares pertaining to the Kharif and Rabi 2018-19 season for payment of crop insurance/ compensation to enrolled farmers pursuant to PMFBY and re-structured weather based crop insurance.
The governments also informed the Court that mostly all the farmers were paid off and only those who had provided incorrect bank details were left.
On hearing this, Court asked the concerned authorities to pay of the remaining farmers withing three months and disposed of the plea.
Shanker was represented by Advocate B Rachna whereas Advocate NV Raoassgi appeared for the respondents.
Case Title: Payal Shanker vs. Union of India and 6 others