HC orders issue of notice to central, state Govts

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notices to central and state governments on a PIL seeking to introduce individual agricultural insurance scheme for all agriculturalists in Tamil Nadu.

The First Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, directed the central and state governments to submit their replies within four weeks on a PIL by M Appavu, a former MLA.

Appavu submitted that many farmers in the country were not able to repay their agricultural loans due to loss in cultivation which ended in suicides.

Various surveys and research reports clearly showed that the farmers suffered losses due to increase in the cost of fertilizer, diesel and wages, he submitted.

He alleged the present National Agricultural Insurance Scheme is disappointing as there is no real benefit to farmers under the scheme.

Mere waiving of agricultural loans alone will not be a permanent solution, he submited and sought a direction to authorities for introducing individual agricultural insurance scheme to farmers.