The Supreme Court on Friday directed the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) to maintain status quo on the regular supply of Yamuna water to Delhi till April 6.
The bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice V. Ramasubramanian directed Haryana and Punjab to maintain the status quo on a plea of the Delhi Jal Board against the proposal to cut 25 percent drinking water supply to Delhi.
Today during the hearing, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh submitted that he has filed photographs to show how the water level has gone down six feet.
Haryana Government counsel Shyam Divan stated that they have not reduced any water level.
CJI Bobde said, “We don’t have time today to hear. We have passed an order of status quo yesterday. We would like to extend it for another 6 days. The supply of water should not be suspended.” The Court would hear the matter next on April 6.
Yesterday, the Delhi Jal Board counsel complained to the court that there is a 25 percent curtailment of their part of water supply. The counsel submitted that construction work is going on at the canal gates of Bhakra Nangal Dam (Beas Hydel Channel) and prayed to the court that it should direct the Punjab government to stop the work.
The Bhakra board said construction work is going on to repair channels that led to the disruption in water supply.
The DJB counsel made the allegation against the Haryana government that they are being supplied water which is 25 percent less than what was agreed. And, if the court pleases it can send the Court Commissioner to inspect the situation in Haryana.
The CJI said, “Since it is about fundamental right to have water, we will appoint a court commissioner if a necessity will arise.”
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Besides other arguments, the DJB had alleged that the level of ammonia is very high in water supplied to Delhi.
Haryana government counsel submitted that all the allegations levelled by the DJB are wrong and they are supplying sufficient water to Delhi.
Read the order here;
8030_2021_31_19_27229_Order_26-Mar-2021