Raje asks Centre to ensure release of its share of Yamuna

Alleging that Haryana was usurping its share of Yamuna water, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has urged the Centre to intervene to ensure that her state got its legitimate share.

Raje recently wrote a letter to Union Water Resources Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stating that Haryana was usurping Rajasthan's share of water at both Tajewala and Okhla headworks on the Yamuna river.

She said even after 20 years of the water agreement, Rajasthan was being deprived of its legitimate share of Yamuna water.

It was evident from the data of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) that the share of Rajasthan in Yamuna water was around 9 per cent, while only 1 per cent was being made available, she said.

Raje said at a meeting of the UYRB in December 2001, Rajasthan was allocated 1,917 cusec water at Tajewala and 1,281 cusec at Okhla headworks, according to a release here.

This water was mainly allotted for Churu and Jhunjhunu areas.

Raje said that release of water from Tajewala was being wilfully delayed by Haryana, which was a violation of the agreement.

The Chief Minister requested Azad to issue instructions to Haryana for release of allotted share of Yamuna water and joint gauging by both states near entry points of Rajasthan-Haryana border.