On Wednesday, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Delhi government for not acting against tanker mafias in the city. It cautioned that it would ask the Delhi Police for action to mitigate the water crisis in the national capital.
Case Overview:
During the hearing presided over by a vacation bench headed by Justice P K Mishra and Justice V B Parale, the Court expressed concern over reports indicating the prevalence of tanker mafias in Delhi.
The bench raised pertinent questions regarding the disappearance of water from Himachal Pradesh and its failure to reach the citizens of Delhi through pipelines.
The justices sought accountability from the Delhi government regarding measures taken to curb water loss and combat the activities of tanker mafias.
They also demanded an affidavit detailing actions taken from May-June 2023 to April 2024 to prevent water loss and illegal water transportation.
In response, the counsel representing the Delhi government assured the Court of swift action, noting that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is supplying water through tankers primarily to lower economic households.
The counsel pledged to provide comprehensive information on actions taken, including disconnections and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, it criticized the state for allegedly making false statements regarding the release of water to the Upper Yamuna River Board.
The Supreme Court scheduled the next hearing for 13 June and instructed the Delhi government to submit an affidavit addressing water loss prevention.
Additionally, it allowed other concerned parties to file supplementary affidavits if necessary.
This stern warning from the Supreme Court comes in the wake of previous admonishments to the Delhi government for its perceived negligence in addressing the water crisis.
The Court had earlier directed Himachal Pradesh to release surplus water to ensure uninterrupted supply to Delhi residents for drinking purposes.
The Court’s proactive stance underscores the severity of the water crisis in Delhi and the urgent need for coordinated action to mitigate its impact on citizens.
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