The Supreme Court on Wednesday rebuked the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government over the prevalence of tanker mafia and water wastage in the national capital and asked what measures it has taken against them. A vacation bench presided over by Justice P.K. Mishra is hearing the Delhi government’s plea for the release of surplus water from Himachal Pradesh, as the people of the national capital are facing a shortage of water.
“So much of tanker mafia, have you taken any action on that…Water is engulfed by tanker mafia and you’re not taking any action,” the Bench, also comprising Justice PB Varale, said.
“Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh then where is the water going in Delhi? There is so much spillage, tanker mafias etc.. what measures have you taken in this regard?… People are suffering, we are seeing visuals on every news channel. What measures have you taken to control water wastage if water scarcity is a recurring problem in summers,” the bench observed orally.
Asking the Delhi government about measures taken till now to solve the problem, the bench said, “If you’re not taking action, then shall we hand it over…Every channel is showing tanker mafia is running in Delhi.”
Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the Delhi government, said there is action, including massive disconnection of water supplies, so that excess water wastage is stopped.
“We will file (the affidavit) about the measures. There are multiple actions, we have made massive disconnections. We are in a catch-22 situation with very little water…We will be more than happy to have Delhi Police take the action,” Farasat said.
The top court asked the Delhi government to file a report stating the action taken for the loss of water. The matter will be taken up on Thursday.
The court also rapped the Himachal Pradesh government saying it provided false affidavit.
“We’ll straight away send your officer to jail,” the court said to the Himachal government.
Last week, the Supreme Court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release surplus water on June 7 so that it reaches the national capital “uninterruptedly” and is made available to the Delhiites for drinking purposes.
“We direct that Himachal Pradesh shall release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it on Friday so that the water reaches Hathni Kund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad. As and when surplus water is released with prior information by the state of Himachal Pradesh, the state of Haryana shall facilitate the flow of surplus water so released,” it had ordered on June 6.
The apex court had said that the Delhi government should adhere to the measures suggested by the Upper Yamuna River Board to prevent wastage of water since there is an acute shortage of drinking water in the national capital.
It had ordered for filing of a status report and compliance affidavits by June 10.
Earlier, the SC had ordered the river board to convene an urgent meeting on June 5 to address the water crisis in the city, stressing that the problems of scarcity of water for the citizens of Delhi should be properly addressed.
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