New Delhi, Dec 18 (NationPress) The Supreme Court stated on Wednesday that farmers engaged in protests have the liberty to directly present their issues to the apex court. This announcement came after it was indicated that the farmer leaders skipped a meeting with the panel designated by the court.

Emphasizing that the court's doors are always open, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant noted that farmers could voice their demands either personally or through an authorized representative.

The bench, which also included Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, urged the Punjab authorities to ensure that adequate medical assistance is provided to farmer leader Dallewal, who is currently on a hunger strike.

The 70-year-old cancer patient, Dallewal, has been fasting at Khanauri, a border location between Punjab and Haryana, since November 26 to advocate for their long-standing demands, which include a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, a loan waiver, and reforms to enhance conditions in the agriculture sector.

Justice Kant's bench expressed alarm regarding Dallewal's declining health, underscoring the necessity for the Punjab government to tend to his well-being.

On Sunday, Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, along with Mayank Mishra from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, met with Dallewal following the Supreme Court's directive. This marked the first dialogue between the Union government and a farm leader since negotiations with farmers reached an impasse in February.

Last week, the apex court declined to consider a new petition requesting immediate action to clear blockages on national and state highways in Punjab, which have allegedly been obstructed indefinitely by farmers and farmer unions.

"Why are you submitting multiple petitions? We are already addressing this issue and have initiated some actions. There is no reason for repeated petitions," the bench led by Justice Kant remarked to the PIL litigant.

"In the ongoing PIL, we never refuse any counsel. You assist us on the designated date, and we will determine what orders can be issued regarding the reopening of highways," stated the apex court.

Indicating that no new petitions on the same topic would be allowed, the court dismissed the fresh plea but permitted the petitioner's counsel to assist in the ongoing matter concerning the larger public interest.

In September, the Supreme Court had mandated the establishment of a committee to amicably address the farmers' grievances at the Punjab-Haryana border.

The court suggested that the panel, chaired by Justice Nawab Singh, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, negotiate with the protesting farmers regarding the removal of their tractors, trolleys, and other vehicles from the national highway to facilitate public access.

Additionally, the apex court allowed farmers to relocate their peaceful protests to an alternative site.

Besides Justice Nawab Singh, the panel included former Haryana DGP B.S. Sandhu, agricultural analyst Devender Sharma, Professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman, agricultural economist Dr. Sukhpal Singh, and Professor Baldev Raj Kamboj as a special invitee.