SC to pronounce orders today on farm laws, farmers' protests

An artist gives finishing touches to a painting on the theme of farmers` protest, during their ongoing agitation over the farm reform laws at Singhu border on Monday. Pic/PTI

The Supreme Court will pronounce orders on Tuesday on various issues related to the new farm laws and the farmers' ongoing protest at Delhi borders and may take a call on setting up of a committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to find ways to resolve the impasse.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, which indicated during the hearing that it may pass orders in parts on the issues concerning farm laws and farmers' protest, later uploaded the information on the website.

"List these matters tomorrow i.e. 12.01.2021, for orders," said the bench which also comprised justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.'

The bench on Monday heard a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues of citizens' right to move freely during the ongoing farmers' stir.

It pulled up the Centre for its handling of the farmers protest against the new farm laws saying it is ‘extremely disappointed' with the way negotiations between them were going.

It also indicated amply that it may go to the extent of staying the implementation of the contentious farm laws and refused to grant extra time to the Centre to explore the possibility of amicable solution saying it has already granted the government a ‘long rope.' "We have given you a long rope, Mr Attorney General, please don't lecture us on patience," the bench said.

The apex court, which said the matter is getting worse and people are committing suicides, had reiterated the need for having a committee comprising representatives from the government and farmer organisations from over the country and said it will stop the implementation of these laws if the panel advises to do so. It had said farmers are protesting against these laws and they can tell their objections to the committee.

The bench warned that it may stay the law if the government does not do it on its own.

SC moved over farmers' rally

The Centre on Monday moved the SC seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor or trolley march or any other kind of protest by a small group of individuals or organisations which seeks to disrupt the august gathering and celebrations of the Republic Day on January 26. The Centre filed the application through the Delhi Police.