Court ruling on rice importation and the separation of powers dilemma

Court ruling on rice importation [courtesy]

Recently, the High Court delivered a ruling, directing the government to purchase all locally produced rice before resorting to importation. The ruling followed a petition by some concerned farmers who sued the State for prioritising importation while leaving them stranded with their produce.

On the face of it, the ruling sits right with the quest to advance public interest. It makes perfect sense to shield farmers from the crippling disruption occasioned by cheap imports. But that’s just about where the justification ends.