Is this a banana republic, asks HC on Delhi-Haryana water row

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Mar 13 2015 | 8:22 PM IST
The fight between Delhi and Haryana over supply of water, or lack of it, to the national capital today prompted the Delhi High Court to remark whether this is a "banana republic".
"Two states of the country are fighting with each other. Is this a banana republic?" a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul asked after hearing the allegations levelled against each other by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Haryana's irrigation department.
The two sides could not agree even on the issue of whom to appoint for measuring the supply of water in Munak, with Haryana saying no Delhi-based expert or institute shall undertake the exercise, while DJB arguing that no central authority will carry out the measurement.
The impasse over the issue of measurement of water supply made the court to ask amicus curiae Rakesh Khanna to suggest an independent body for carrying out the exercise.
During arguments, DJB lawyer Suresh Tripathy alleged that since the Aam Aadmi Party government came to power in the capital, supply of water from Haryana through Munak canal has dropped substantially due to which the Dwarka water treatment plant (WTP) may have to be shut down soon.
He also placed on record a letter written by DJB to Haryana complaining that officials of Haryana's irrigation department "physically intervened and disallowed" its staff from taking water for Nangloi, Dwarka and Bawana WTPs here.
He also claimed that due to reduction in supply of raw water from Haryana, the production of potable water at its WTPs in Dwarka, Bawana, Nangloi and Haiderpur has dropped considerably.
DJB, in its application filed through Tripathy, has sought directions to the neighbouring state to supply the entire quantity of water as directed by the court.
The court on December 19 last year had directed Haryana to release 719 cusec water into Munak canal and also 330 cusec into Delhi branch (older canal) for use by WTPs here.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 13 2015 | 8:22 PM IST

Next Story