SC directs the Yamuna River Board to hold an urgent meeting on June 5 to address Delhi’s water crisis | Parami News

The Supreme Court on June 3 told the Centre to hold an emergency meeting of its Upper Yamuna River Board with the States of Delhi, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to combat water scarcity in the national capital amid temperatures that have crossed the 50-degree Celsius mark.

A Vacation Bench of Justices P.K. Mishra and K.V. Viswanathan ordered the meeting to be held on June 5.

“Tomorrow there will be too much heat,” Justice Mishra said, referring to the declaration of the Lok Sabha election results on June 4. Justice Viswanathan said, “People would be glued to the TV”.

The Bench scheduled the case for June 6 and said that it should also put on record minutes of the meeting as well as suggested steps by stakeholder states. It ordered that during its forthcoming meeting of June 5th, states, board and central government should take up Delhi Government’s issues about water scarcity in capital region “in right earnest.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for both Central Government and Haryana Government claimed over fifty percent of water meant for Delhi was either lost or taken by tanker mafia. “When 100 litres come to Delhi only48.65 litres reach residents. The total loss is 52.35%. Where does it go? Into hands of tankers mafia… You (Delhi government) have to tighten up,” Mr Mehta alleged.

Representing Delhi senior advocate A.M.Singhvi denied these figures saying they were wrong as well as allegations being baseless.“We just wanted Wazirabad Barrage’s water level be maintained; we are a capital city; heat is at all-time high; people are coming into capital,” Mr Singhvi tried putting problem into perspective.

The petition filed by Delhi government before this court stated that access to water was one of basic human rights any person can enjoy. “Access to water is an essential component of dignity and quality of life guaranteed under the Constitution… The current water crisis may only get worse due to the peak summer and ongoing water shortage. People of Delhi River are unable to access even adequate clean drinking water,” the Delhi government argued in the apex court.