Jat protesters had attackeded Haryana's Munak canal triggering fears of a massive water crisis in Delhi (Reuters photo)
Highlights
- SC raps Delhi govt for not resolving water crisis with Haryana directly
- Supreme Court also asked Haryana to report on water supply to Delhi
- Delhi had gone to SC to ensure Jat protests did not affect water supply
Arvind Kejriwal's government was admonished by the Supreme Court today for approaching it over the water crisis in Delhi instead of trying to resolve it with Haryana.
The court did, however, order Haryana to report on the state of water supply to Delhi.
The Delhi government had appealed to the court on Saturday to direct the Centre to
ensure that water supply to the capital was not affected by the Jat quota protests that have engulfed neighbouring Haryana. As violence escalated on Friday, protesters attacked the Munak canal, which supplies water to Delhi, triggering fears of a massive crisis. The canal has reportedly been repaired and supply to Delhi has been restored.
Taking up Delhi's petition, the Supreme Court commented angrily on city minister Kapil Mishra's presence in court.
"It's an emergency situation. Instead of solving the issue, the minister is sitting in court," said Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.
"You find it easy to come to court instead of talking to Haryana and solving the problem. These are matters of governance between Delhi and Haryana. Go to the place and render help and see that Delhi gets water," he chastised.
The sharp observation came after senior lawyer Rajeev Dhawan, representing the Delhi government, said there was a "serious water situation in Delhi and the minister is here in court."
After telling off the Delhi government, Justice Thakur even declared: "The petition is dismissed."
But when Mr Dhawan pleaded with the judges not to drop the case, the court decided to consider it and issued notice to Haryana and the Centre.
Asked to explain the situation, Haryana said Munak canal and other water supplying sources are under Army control and water would be released.
The Army has taken over Haryana's Munak canal that supplies water to the national capital (Agence France-Presse photo)
Over the weekend, Jat protesters fighting for reservation in jobs and education vandalised and burnt ministers' homes, government buildings and facilities and blocked the highway. A dozen protesters have died in Haryana.