A recent scandal involving the misuse of land allotted for farmers’ welfare has sparked public outrage. The Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) of Surat, Gujarat, obtained land from the state government in the 1960s intended for the benefit of farmers. However, it was later discovered that this land was used to build a mall and a five-star hotel, in violation of the law.
The issue was brought before the Gujarat High Court and later the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and J B Pardiwala, condemned the actions of the Surat APMC, labeling it a ‘scam’ for its unauthorized use of the land. The court questioned the legality of the APMC’s decision to use the surplus land for commercial purposes.
In response, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Surat APMC, argued that the committee had the right to use its land for revenue generation. However, the Supreme Court rejected this argument and upheld the Gujarat High Court’s decision to take over the land and property of the APMC.
Following the Gujarat High Court’s verdict on March 27, the state was ordered to take possession of the APMC’s five-star hotel and conduct a public auction of the property. The court also directed action against officials and APMC members responsible for the hotel’s construction. Additionally, the court ordered the closure of all non-farming related activities in the mall located on the APMC’s land.
“This is a scam of the highest proportion. How could the APMC have used the surplus land for a mall and five-star hotel? Which law authorized it to take such a decision?” – Supreme Court
“How can the Gujarat HC direct the state to take over the land and property of APMC?” – Mukul Rohatgi, representing Surat APMC
The SC’s view found broader acceptance in the December 2019 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture. The Committee had severely criticized the way APMCs across India, except UP and Punjab, were managed and how they were acting in detriment to the benefit of farmers. It had recommended radical reform in APMC Act in the country.