Haryana Minister of State for Irrigation and Water Resources Abhe Yadav dismissed allegation
Water shortage in Delhi is only due to Delhi's internal mismanagement
We are giving 1050 cusecs of water more than the prescribed 719 cusecs
Delhi government is presenting misleading figures on political platforms
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Minister of State for Irrigation and Water Resources Abhe Singh Yadav has dismissed allegations from the Delhi Government, asserting that Haryana is providing Delhi with its full share of water. He attributed Delhi's water shortage solely to internal mismanagement within Delhi itself. He said that Haryana does not politicize water issues, viewing water as a fundamental necessity. He underscored that ensuring water supply to the national capital is a collective responsibility, one which Haryana fulfills without shortfall. Haryana is currently supplying 1050 cusecs of water, exceeding the mandated 719 cusecs allocation.
Yadav briefed journalists in Delhi with detailed figures regarding the water supply from Haryana to Delhi. Dr. Yadav stated that Haryana is consistently providing Delhi with its allocated water supply, substantiating his claim with specific figures. He criticized the Delhi government, accusing it of engaging in political drama over water issues instead of addressing internal mismanagement. Dr. Yadav highlighted that various independent agencies have verified Haryana's water supply data, confirming its accuracy. He asserted that no agency has ever accused Haryana of supplying less water than mandated. Haryana fulfills its obligation by regularly supplying Delhi with the full authorized share of water.
He informed that in response to Delhi's petition filed before the Supreme Court on June 13, 2024, the Haryana government submitted data on the water supplied to Delhi at Delhi Contact Point, Bawana. The data covers the period from May 23 to June 12, 2024, revealing that Haryana consistently released 1050 cusecs of water at Munak Head for Delhi. Additionally, more than 924 cusecs of water, as stipulated by the UYRB, was supplied at Delhi Contact Point, Bawana.
Abhe Singh Yadav stated that despite admitting to receiving their full water supply in official meetings, the Delhi government presents misleading and exaggerated figures in the media and political platforms. He pointed out that Delhi has been demanding 613 MGD (1141 cusecs), which exceeds the figures specified by the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) in its report (1011 cusecs at Munak and 924 cusecs at Bawana). Even the DO letter of Jal Minister, Delhi has admitted that Delhi is getting 513 MGD or 954 cusecs of water on 18th June 2024 which confirms the fact that Haryana has always given full water to Delhi and any water shortage in Delhi is only due to internal mismanagement of Delhi itself.
Yadav provided further details, explaining that this year, the Delhi government once again accused Haryana of not releasing sufficient water to Delhi. He mentioned that the Jal Minister of Delhi, GNCT sent a DO letter to the Chief Minister of Haryana on 22nd May 2024, asserting that Haryana's water releases were inadequate to maintain the required pond level at Wazirabad. Before Haryana could formally respond to this communication, Delhi filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court on 31st May 2024, seeking directions for Haryana to immediately and continuously release water at Wazirabad Barrage. Dr. Yadav informed that during the court proceedings on 3rd June 2024, the Supreme Court instructed the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to convene an emergency meeting on 5th June 2024. At this meeting, known as the 62nd emergency meeting of the UYRB, all participating states agreed that the average flow at Delhi contact point, Bawana, during May 2024 was approximately 948 cusecs. This flow rate exceeded the previous decision of 924 cusecs set by the Board in its 52nd meeting.
Delhi government should also answer the questions
Yadav, posed pointed questions to the Delhi government. Firstly, he asked whether the Delhi government acknowledges that Haryana consistently provides Delhi with its full allocated share of water. Secondly, he questioned why Delhi, despite the Supreme Court's decision on June 6 directing the release of 137 cusecs of additional water to Himachal Pradesh, is not seeking water from Himachal Pradesh and instead insisting on water from Haryana.