The Supreme Court on Monday was informed by the Punjab government that the farmers agitating for their demands including legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price for their agricultural produce would be meeting Justice Nawab Singh – the Chairperson of the High-Powered Committee that was constituted by the top court to negotiate with the protesting farmers.
File Photo: Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court on Monday was informed by the Punjab government that the farmers agitating for their demands including legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price for their agricultural produce would be meeting Justice Nawab Singh – the Chairperson of the High-Powered Committee that was constituted by the top court to negotiate with the protesting farmers.
After being informed that the Punjab government has persuaded the leaders of the agitating farmers to meet Justice (Retd.) Nawab Singh, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N K Singh adjourned the hearing to Friday (January 10). The hearing today was in continuation of earlier hearings focused on providing medical aid to and hospitalisation of farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death since November 26 in support of their demands, including legally guaranteed MSP for agricultural crops.
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At the outset of the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Punjab government, told the bench that the meeting was taking place at 3 pm today, and hoped that a breakthrough would happen.
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“Somehow, we have been able to persuade the protesting people to meet Justice Nawab Singh, who heads the Committee, at 3 pm today. We are hopeful that there would be a breakthrough,” Sibal said, requesting the court to adjourn the hearing.
“We hope better sense prevails. List this on Friday,” said Justice Kant.
The top court was hearing a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Punjab for not complying with its December 20, 2024, order of providing medical aid to and hospitalisation of Dallewal.
Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The top court has been asking the Punjab government to ensure Dallewal gets proper medical aid during fast-unto-death.
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