SC Reprimands Delhi And Himachal Government Over Drinking Water Crisis

In view of the drinking water crisis, the Supreme Court has disposed of the petition demanding additional water. The court said that the issue related to the distribution of Yamuna water between the states is complex and sensitive.

The court said in its order that it does not have the expertise to decide the formula. The Himachal Pradesh government told SC that it does not have additional water and cannot give water to Delhi. The vacation bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Prasanna B Varale observed.

While disposing of the petition, the Supreme Court also said that it has directed the Upper River Yamuna Board to hold a meeting on June 14 on this matter to take a quick decision. The court also said that the board can hold meetings day to day if necessary.

The Supreme Court has reprimanded the Himachal Pradesh government for the attitude adopted in the matter of water crisis. The response received from the Himachal Government failed to convince SC. The court scolded the Himachal government for providing wrong information and asked if action should be taken against it.

Notably, the Himachal government had informed the Supreme Court that currently it is giving 137 cusecs of water, which is extra, to other states. Therefore, it cannot give that extra water to Delhi. Whereas the Himachal Pradesh government had given an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it has extra water and will give 137 cusecs of water to Delhi.

However, the state government has apologized to the Supreme Court for this mistake. The Delhi government, in its affidavit, said that it cannot take action against the tanker mafia. Citing the reason behind it said that these people take water from the Haryana side of Yamuna. Delhi government requested the court to ask Haryana about the action taken against such people.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Delhi government and said that if the Delhi government does not stop the tanker mafia, then it will ask the Delhi Police to take action against the tanker mafia.

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