How farmer suicides end ‘up to Centre’

New Delhi: Terming farmers’ suicide as a “serious issue”, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to prepare a comprehensive plan of action to be followed by states to prevent it.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar asked the Centre to file the proposed line of action in four weeks and before the next date of hearing “under all circumstances”.

The top court had earlier said it felt the government was going in a “wrong direction” in tackling the real problem. On Monday, it said the government should come out with a policy which can deal with the root causes of farmers’ suicide.

Additional Solicitor General PS Narasimha said agriculture fell under the State List and primarily it was for states to deal with it. He, however, said the Centre was taking all possible steps to help farmers in distress.

“The Centre will coordinate with states and come up with a line of action to address the root cause,” the Bench said.

The petitioner submitted that over 3,000 farmers had committed suicide. — TNS