SC upset at maligning of farm laws panel

The Supreme Court has  slammed critics of an expert panel - formed last week to resolve the farmers-centre deadlock over the three contentious agricultural laws - and said the committee has no power to decide on the legislations. "We gave the committee the power to hear everyone and submit report to us. Where is the question of bias? (There is) no need to brand people and malign them, and on top of it cast aspersion on the court," Chief Justice SA Bobde said on Wednesday. The Apex Court asked the Centre to withdraw its plea against the tractor rally on Republic Day and reiterated that it will not pass orders against the protest march.

CJI SA Bobde said,the Kisan Mahapanchayat -- that wants the committee to change. Your demand is to change the committee. What is the basis for this? These people are the brightest minds in agriculture today. They have the expertise that their critics do not have and you are maligning them. The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the aspersions cast by some farmers' unions on members of the court-appointed committee to resolve the impasse over new farm laws and said it has not given any adjudicating authority to the panel."We entertained the issue in the interest of public and farmers. If you do not want to appear don't appear. Do not brand people. We are finding solution to this problem. Public opinion is important and it will not determine the outcome," the top court noted.