SC pulled up the Central government for washing of its hands in providing drought relief when 33 crores or more people in the country are affected by the famine conditions.
A bench of the SC was of the opinion that the centre complicated the matter worse by introducing the concept of “federalism” which is the relationship between the centre and the states affected by the famine conditions.
Justice Lokur stated the very purpose of introducing the concept of “federalism” is to enable the centre to wash off its hands in matters concerning drought declaration and to give enough provision to a state government to decide whether to declare a drought, since the Manual is only a reference document. The states could face conditions under which they may need to deviate from the guidiance shown in the manual. 234 districts are affected by drought conditions.