Himachal does U-turn on supplying water to crisis-hit Delhi, gets SC rap
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Amidst the legal battle over Delhi’s escalating water crisis, Himachal Pradesh has retracted its earlier stance, asserting it lacks surplus water to allocate to the national capital. This backtrack comes only a day after the hill state had indicated it had released water for Delhi, insisting it must pass through Haryana.
As the inhabitants of Delhi grapple with the dual challenges of scorching heat and a water shortage, the Supreme Court had mandated the Himachal Pradesh government to furnish 137 cusecs of surplus water to Delhi, directing Haryana to facilitate its transit. The court emphasised that the drinking water deficit in Delhi had reached an alarming level.
Addressing the media on Wednesday (June 12, 2024), Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had affirmed the state’s compliance with the directive. “We have released water. We have instructed our legal representatives to apprise the Supreme Court accordingly. The water we have released is readily available. There are no conditions attached,” he had stated.
However, in an abrupt reversal on Thursday, Himachal’s counsel informed the top court that the 137 cusecs of water constituted an “unutilised residue after irrigation and natural river flow”. “Our previous communication may have been unclear. We aim to rectify any misunderstanding. While there may have been an oversight earlier, I have been briefed. I will amend and retract the prior statement of obstruction,” the counsel clarified.
This prompted a stern warning from the SC bench. “We reserve the right to charge you with contempt and summon your Chief Secretary,” it cautioned. The legal team representing Himachal tendered an apology and assured submission of an affidavit, along with retraction of their previous response.
The apex court has now tasked the Upper Yamuna River Board with resolving the impasse. Earlier, the board had demanded evidence from Himachal Pradesh to substantiate the release of 137 cusecs of unused water for Delhi following the top court’s ruling on June 6.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, the board referenced a letter sent by Himachal Pradesh to Haryana, wherein the hill state asserted its unutilised water share was already flowing unimpeded to the Hathnikund barrage, urging Haryana to channel it to Delhi.
