Delhi Govt’s contempt plea against Haryana rejected

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 23

The Supreme Court (SC) today dismissed the Delhi Government's plea seeking the initiation of contempt proceedings against the Haryana Government for alleged violation of a 1996 order on water supply to the national capital.

A Bench headed by Justice LN Rao turned down the AAP government’s plea and asked it to negotiate the matter with the Haryana Government to resolve the issue.

"Please advise your client not to file application after application," the bench told Singh and dismissed the contempt plea. Contempt is dismissed," the bench said and asked the Delhi Government to undertake consultation process with Haryana to resolve the issue.

‘Poor management by Delhi’

Haryana had rejected the allegations, saying the Delhi Government was trying to conceal its utter failure in management of water by accusing it of being responsible for increased ammonia levels in the drinking water supplied to the national capital

The Delhi government had moved the top court, alleging that as per the order of February 29, 1996, Haryana had to keep the Wazirabad water reservoir full and this order is being breached, said senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the city government.

The Haryana Government had rejected the allegations, saying the Delhi Government was trying to conceal its utter failure in management of water by accusing it of being responsible for increased ammonia levels in the drinking water supplied to the national capital.

In an affidavit filed in response to the Delhi Jal Board’s plea, the Haryana Government had said it’s Delhi which was responsible for increased ammonia levels in the drinking water supplied to its residents as the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant had not been upgraded to treat water.

Haryana had contended that the Central Pollution Control Board had examined the water of the Yamuna on January 13, 2021, and it was found that ammonia levels rose sharply from the Delhi contact point at Palla to Wazirabad.

This was due to the unauthorised discharges between Palla and Wazirabad and sediment deposition at Wazirabad Pond and, therefore, it’s up to the DJB to control pollution at these points, Haryana had submitted.

Ahead of scorching summer, the DJB had, on March 8, moved the Supreme Court against the Haryana government to avert a potential water crisis in the national capital.

Delhi receives 479 million gallons water a day (MGD) against 609 MGD from Haryana. Besides, Delhi draws 90 MGD groundwater and receives 250 MGD from the Upper Ganga Canal.

As per a Supreme Court order of February 1996, the pond level in Wazirabad has to be kept full. The normal level of the Yamuna near Wazirabad Pond should be 674.50 feet, but it has dropped to 670.90 feet.

Haryana supplies water to Delhi through the Carrier-Lined Channel (CLC), Delhi Sub-Branch (DSB) and the Yamuna. CLC and DSB supply water from Hathni Kund via Munak canal and the BBMC.