A.R.Gokulakrishnan v. The Principal Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.04.2023
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.T.RAJA, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY A.R.Gokulakrishnan ...
Petitioner versus 1.The Principal Secretary, Department of Food and Consumer Protection Government of Tamil Nadu St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies No.170, N.V.Natarajan Maligai, Periyar E.V.R.High Road Poonamallee High Road Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.
3.The Chairman Cum Managing Director The Tamil Nadu Co-operative State Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Ltd.
Mylapore, Chennai-600 004.
...
Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to act swiftly by taking all measures to revive the Land Development Banks and its allied establishments by allocating required fund to these banks by considering the representation dated October 17, 2022 made by the
petitioner to the respondents in detail and dispose of the same in accordance with law.
For the Petitioner :
Mr.S.Mahaveer Shivaji For the Respondents :
Mr.P.Muthukumar, State Government Pleader
ORDER
(Made by the Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice) This writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to revive the Land Development Banks and its allied establishments, by allocating required funds to these banks, by considering the representation made by the petitioner to the respondents, on 17.10.2022.
2. The petitioner claims to be a social activist and engaging in cultivation, for the past many generations. Agriculture plays a vital role in the overall socio-economic development of the nation, and according to the 2011 census, about 54.6 of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied sector activities.
3. The Government of India and the State Governments have been introducing number of schemes to improve the production of agriculture and help the farmers and agricultural workers. One such programme is the introduction of Land Development Bank in the country with an aim to promote the development of land, agriculture and increase the agricultural production and welfare of the farmers and their family members. Many of the agriculturists started enjoying the benefit from such Banks. But mid way, the said scheme has been neglected and given up. Therefore, farmers and agriculturists have been put to face lots of problems. Considering the plight of the farmers and ordeals faced by them, Government of India had also passed a Government order in the year 2006, waiving-off farm loans to the tune of Rs.986.12 crore obtained by the farmers.
Therefore, the Government should come forward to revive the Land Development Bank. In this regard, the petitioner has sent a detailed representation to the respondents, dated 17.10.2022. The petitioner received a reply dated 05.12.2022, stating that the matter is under consideration. Since no progress is shown by the respondents in the matter, the present writ petition has been filed.
4. Since the Government has to come forward and set up or revive the Land Development Bank and its allied establishments by allocating required funds, this Court cannot give any direction. The writ petition fails and the same is dismissed. There will be no order as to costs.
(T.R., ACJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 10.04.2023 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No tar
To 1.The Principal Secretary, Department of Food and Consumer Protection Government of Tamil Nadu St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
2.The Registrar of Co-operative Societies No.170, N.V.Natarajan Maligai, Periyar E.V.R.High Road Poonamallee High Road Kilpauk, Chennai-600 010.
3.The Chairman Cum Managing Director The Tamil Nadu Co-operative State Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Ltd.
Mylapore, Chennai-600 004.
T.RAJA, ACJ, and D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
(tar) 10.04.2023