SC raps AAP Govt. over Water Crisis

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued notices to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Governments, directing them to take quick action to end the water scarcity in Delhi. The Court has been assured by the Haryana Government that water supply will resume in NCR region by the evening. The Bench, headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur also sought a report from Haryana Government on Delhi Government’s petition seeking resumption of water supply.

The Court reportedly slammed the AAP led Delhi Government for not taking adequate steps to prevent the looming water crisis in the National Capital Region, and bringing every case before the judiciary to gain limelight.

“Instead of solving problem of common people, you are sitting here. This is a conflict between two governments. You have found an easy way out by approaching Supreme Court on every issue,” the Court referred to State Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra’s presence in the Court.

“You people instead of solving the problem at government-to-government level are moving to Supreme Court. You want order from the Supreme Court. You want everything on the platter.

“You ministers are sitting in the court instead of going to the field. You rest in AC chambers and you want order from the court,” the Bench added. The next hearing is scheduled to be help on February 25.

The AAP Government had approached the Apex Court demanding an urgent hearing on its petition seeking Centre's intervention for uninterrupted supply of water from Munak Canal in Haryana, which was under the siege of Jat agitators. The Army has now taken control of Munak Canal from the agitators. A team of staff workers has been dispatched to Haryana to catalyze the Munak canal repair work, to ensure that no damage is done to the canal lining.

The water crisis had surfaced following the violence and arson by Jat protestors in Haryana. The Munak Canal in Haryana, which supplies water to large parts of Delhi, was shut down after its inlet gates were forcibly closed, causing seven treatment plants to shut down. Its parallel Delhi sub-branch was also shut down subsequently.

On Sunday afternoon, army and para-military were deputed to Sonepat to regain control over the canal. One protestor was killed in firing. The same day, CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to appeal to the Centre with ‘folded hands’ to immediately intervene and resume water supply from Munak Canal started in Haryana. He wrote, “We’ve completely run out of water. I appeal to the centre with folded hands to immediately intervene and get munak canal started in Haryana.”T he crisis has compelled the Government to implement water rationing.

Delhi receives most of its water from the Yamuna through Haryana, Ganga and underground reserves. The areas affected by the crisis are West Delhi, North-West, Central, South and part of North Delhi. “Against the total production of 820 Million Gallons per day (MGD) of potable water, only 240 MGD is being produced, because of the disruption of the supply source from Haryana. DJB's tanker fleet has been fully redirected to the water deficient areas. The situation at Wazirabad is being constantly monitored. In this emergent situation, the people of Delhi are requested to use water with the utmost care,” a statement issued by the Delhi Jal Board said.