Delhi govt moves SC on water crisis due to Jat stir

New Delhi, Feb 20: Staring at a serious water crisis, Delhi government tonight moved the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to the Centre to intervene and ensure water supply to the national capital from Munak Canal in neighbouring Haryana which has been affected due to the Jat stir.

"Delhi government moves SC on water crisis. Petition accepted. Likely to be heard on Sunday morning(sic)," Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra tweeted. Earlier, Delhi government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra said a petition is being moved before the apex court, seeking urgent hearing on the issue and a plea is being made that the Centre should deploy army to ensure supply of water from Munak Canal.

The Registrar of the Supreme Court said it will be known tomorrow whether the Delhi government's petition would be taken up on Sunday or Monday. "Water should be supplied immediately to Delhi as it is lifeline of people," he said, adding all water plants in Delhi are shut as the protesters have "taken over" the canal. Mehra said the Lutyen's zone and several other areas are not getting water.

"The army should ensure that Delhi gets water immediately," he said. Delhi is staring at huge water shortage in next one or two days with 60 per cent of water supply affected due to the Jat stir.

PTI