The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought directions for the procurement of sunflower seeds at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The decision came after the Haryana government assured the court that all sunflower seeds brought for sale up to June 30 would be purchased in accordance with prescribed norms.
Petitioners' Demands and Court Proceedings
The PIL, filed by Rakesh Kumar and others, sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to ensure immediate procurement of sunflower seeds from all farmers through licensed commission agents at the MSP fixed by the State of Haryana. The petitioners also requested action against commission agents allegedly refusing to purchase sunflower seeds at MSP and a direction to extend the procurement period.
When the matter came before the Division Bench of Justice Vikas Bahl and Justice Ramesh Kumari, the counsel representing the state and official respondents submitted, on instructions, that sunflower seeds received up to June 23 at 5:25 pm had already been procured by government agencies—HSWC and HAFED. The total lifting by the agencies amounted to 93,505 quintals.
Government Assurance and Disposal of PIL
The bench was informed: "If the petitioners or any farmers approach the respondent-authority up to June 30 for selling the sunflower seeds, the same would also be purchased by the respondent committee/authorities in accordance with the norms."
In light of this statement, the counsel for the petitioners—advocates Pardeep Kumar Rapria and Ripu Daman Boora—submitted that the petition had been rendered infructuous and might be disposed of accordingly. They requested that the respondents be held bound by the undertaking given before the court.
Court's Order
Accepting the submission, the bench disposed of the matter as infructuous and specifically directed that the respondents would be bound by the statement made before the court. This effectively ensures that the Haryana government will continue to purchase sunflower seeds at MSP until June 30, as assured.
