Leave your AC chambers, go out and find a solution to Delhi water crisis: SC to AAP govt

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the Delhi government for approaching it over every issues instead of resolving the issue at government-to-government level.

The Delhi government had sought the apex court’s intervention over the resumption of water suply to the national capital, disrupted due to the ongoing Jat quota stir.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur and comprising Justice UU Lalit rapped the Delhi government over the issue and said,”You people instead of solving the problem at government-to-government level are moving to Supreme Court. You want order from the Supreme Court. You want everything on the platter.

“You ministers are sitting in the court instead of going to the field. You rest in AC chambers and you want order from the court,” the Bench said while referring to the presence of Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra inside the court.

However, after repeated persistence from senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan, appearing for Delhi government, the Bench asked the Haryana government to make the necessary arrangement for resumption of water supply in the capital.

The court has sought a status report from Haryana government on the plea of Delhi government. The court has issued notice to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government on the plea of Delhi government which has also sought a direction for ensuring security on the barrages on Munak Canal in Haryana.

The counsel appearing for Haryana submitted that things are being taken into control and they were trying to ensure that water supply is resumed by Monday itself.

The AAP government had on Sunday moved the apex court for urgent hearing on its plea seeking Centre’s intervention for uninterrupted supply of water from Munak Canal in Haryana, which is allegedly under siege of the Jat agitators demanding reservation.

The petition also sought that the Centre deployed the Army to ensure supply of water from Munak Canal.

“Water should be supplied immediately to Delhi as it is the lifeline of the people,” Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra had on Sunday said, adding all water plants in Delhi are shut as the protesters have “taken over” the canal.

Mehra had said the Lutyen’s zone and several other areas are not getting water. “The Army should ensure that Delhi gets water immediately,” he had said.

Delhi has been facing water crisis following cut in its supply from Haryana due to the Jat stir.

–PTI