The Central government has been critcised on the drought situation of the states by the Supreme Court, which says the centre cannot confine its role in releasing funds only. The court has taken serious exception to the centre’s attitude towards drought in states, ignoring its responsibility and shifting its responsibility to the state governments.
The Central’s stand that it is the responsibility of the state governments to declare the entire area or partially in certain areas as drought hit areas. The Centre has no responsibillity or role to play in such a decission.
A bench of judges consisting of Justice Madan.B.Lakur and Justice N.V.Ramana hearing the
petetion filed by Swaraj Abhayan has rejected the argument of the Central government that its role is to release funds to the states to tackle the drought situation. In this context the bench has asked the Central government not to throw the entire responsibility in forecasting, managing and mitigating drought situation on the states. The Supreme Court is of the opinion that the Centre has necessary technology at its disposal. It is pointed out that the government under the duty to say that everything is not alright. Remedial measures shall be taken if the states do not do so. The Court has not accepted that it is the states responsibility to declare drought.