Supreme Court critical of govt for appealing against compensating farmers

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the Government for filing appeals in several matters, particularly on issues relating to compensation to farmers on land acquisition.

"You spend Rs 100 crores on Republic Day parade but when it comes to payment of compensation to farmers, you file appeals," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu observed while declining to interfere with the compensation awarded by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to farmers for acquisition of their lands.

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 A K 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.