Bhopal: High Court stays government order on priority given to silos for storing grains

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The principal bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur on Monday stayed the state government’s order, which gives priority to storing grains the latter purchases in silos instead of warehouses.

The state government’s order has upset owners of warehouses who moved High Court to challenge it. Neha Shukla and 20 others had filed petitions against the state government.

Justice Vishal Ghagat issued the interim order and asked government to submit reply within 1 week.

Counsel appearing for petitioner submitted that once the bidding period was over and parties had entered bidding process, respondents could not change the terms and conditions of contract. Advocate Ajay Mishra and Satyendra Jyotish appeared on behalf of petitioners.

As per the case, petitioners own warehouses, which store the grains purchased by the government. On March 27, 2023, government issued an amendment letter in which it stated that it would give preference to silo for storing grains it purchases from farmers.

Advocate Satendra Jyotish said, “Policy was introduced by government for storing rabi crops in warehouses on February 23, 2023. How can it be changed suddenly on March 27, 2023. In view of this, the High Court has stayed the amended order issued on March 27, 2023.”