The Supreme Court today summoned Chief Secretaries of nine drought affected states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, for failing to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA).<br/>A bench headed by Justice M B Lokur said despite considerable time having passed since the law came into force, these states have failed to enforce it.<br/><br/>The bench, also comprising Justice N V Ramana, said it is a matter of concern that a Parliamentary statute is not being given importance. Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution is also involved.<br/><br/>State Food Commission, as mandated under section 16 of the National Food Security Act, has not being appointed. 'It said that with regard to the statute, the state governments have to appoint the food commission and it cannot give a go by to the statute enacted by the Parliament.<br/><br/>Besides Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, other states whose Chief Secretaries have been summoned include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana and Chhattisgarh.<br/><br/>The court exempted the Chief Secretaries of Odisha, which has complied with certain directions, and Telangana which has initiated the process of constituting the commission. It also exempted Uttar Pradesh after it complied with certain directions.<br/><br/>The bench's order came on a plea filed by NGO Swaraj Abhiyan seeking various relief for farmers in drought affected states.<br/>'<br/>The court also impleaded Reserve Bank of India as a party to the case as the guidelines issued for loan waiver and loan restructuring of farmers of drought-hit areas were not being implemented by banks. <br/>