New Delhi. The Supreme Court, expressing displeasure towards the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Delhi over the wastage of water and tanker mafia, on Wednesday asked what steps it has taken to deal with this problem? The court said that people in Delhi are troubled by the shortage of water. The bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale told the Delhi government that if it cannot deal with the tanker mafia, then it will ask the city police to take action against the tanker mafia. Abhishek Manu Singhvi was also among the lawyers who appeared in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Delhi government. Singhvi presented the facts before the court, but the apex court asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit and tell about the action taken against the tanker mafia.
The court said that if the same water can be supplied through tankers, then why can’t it be made available through pipelines? The Supreme Court also said that if there can be strict laws to stop electricity theft, then why can’t there be laws to stop wastage of water. The two-judge bench said, ‘If water is coming from Himachal Pradesh, then where is it going in Delhi? There is so much theft here, tanker mafia is working, then have you taken any action against them? If you are not taking any action, then we will hand over this matter to Delhi Police. People are upset. The same water is coming from the tanker, but there is no water in the pipeline.’
What did Abhishek Manu Singhvi say?
Appearing for the Delhi government, advocate Shadan Farasat tried to address the court’s concern by saying that action has been taken to prevent wastage of water, including cutting off supply to places where it is not urgently required. He said that water tankers are being provided by the Delhi Jal Board. He further said that as far as the police is concerned, we would be happy if the police take action in this matter (to curb the water mafia). Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, cited an order passed by the UYRB (Upper Yamuna River Board) in the year 2018, under which Delhi should get 1013 cusecs of water. Singhvi further said, ‘However, as against 1013 cusecs of water, the actual water received is between 800-900 cusecs.’
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Haryana accused of lying
The UYRB had told the court in an affidavit that Himachal Pradesh has to prove that it is releasing 137 cusecs of additional water to Delhi as promised. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Haryana government, claimed that false statements are being made. The Yamuna Jal Board is the expert body that decides on the issue of water distribution and is now trying to reopen it.
The Supreme Court gave the order
The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to prevent wastage of water. The affidavit can be filed before the next hearing on Thursday. The apex court is hearing the Delhi government’s petition, which has requested to direct Haryana to release the excess water given by Himachal Pradesh to the national capital, so that the water crisis can be overcome.
Tags: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi News, Supreme Court
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 12, 2024, 20:13 IST