New Delhi: The Supreme Court has questioned the Union government for spending crores on the Republic Day parade but delaying the payment of compensation to farmers for land acquired.
The court's surveillance came during a hearing of the Defence Ministry's appeals relating to compensation to farmers on land acquisition in cantonment areas in Punjab.
"You spend Rs. 100 crores on Republic Day parade but when it comes to payment of compensation to farmers. You file appeals," Chief Justice HL Dattu told the Centre.
The Punjab and Haryana high court had awarded a substantial compensation to farmers and the ministry has appealed against it.
But the Supreme Court declined to interfere, saying, "Farmers are deprived of reasonable compensation". The government, the court said, spends "so much money on litigations" but "takes a different stand" when it comes to paying farmers.
The apex court was hearing an appeal filed by the Defence Ministry on granting of compensation to farmers on land acquisition in cantonment areas in Punjab. The court also expressed its displeasure over the Centre not coming upto the expectations in providing enough infrastructure for the functioning of tribunals.
"If you are unable to provide accommodation, why create such tribunals," the bench, also comprising Justices AK Sikri and Arun Mishra, asked. "I am anguished that you are pushing them (Judges) to Commonwealth village. Why different treatment for them? You must create infrastructure before creating tribunals," the CJI said, while referring to the case of a retired Supreme Court Judge who was appointed to head a tribunal but not provided accommodation.
