Delhi Receives More Water Than Agreed; Shortage Due to Mismanagement: Haryana Minister

Haryana Minister Abhe Singh Yadav has refuted the Delhi government's claims that the water scarcity in the national capital is due to Haryana's failure to provide the required share of water. Yadav, who is the Minister of State for Irrigation and Water Resources, stated that the water shortage in Delhi is solely a result of internal mismanagement by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dispensation. He emphasized that Haryana views water as a fundamental necessity and does not politicize water issues.Yadav dismissed the allegations made by the Delhi government as baseless and unsupported by facts. He revealed that Haryana is currently supplying 1,050 cusecs of water to Delhi, exceeding the mandated allocation of 719 cusecs. The minister stressed that ensuring water supply to the national capital is a collective responsibility, one which Haryana fulfills without any shortfall.In response to a petition filed by the AAP government before the Supreme Court, the Haryana government submitted data on its water supply to Delhi's contact point, Bawana. The data covers the period from May 23 to June 12, 2024, and reveals that Haryana consistently released 1,050 cusecs of water at Munak Head for Delhi. Additionally, more than 924 cusecs of water, as stipulated by the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB), was supplied to the Bawana point.Yadav accused the Delhi government of presenting misleading and exaggerated figures in the media and political platforms. He stated that despite admitting to receiving their full water supply in official meetings, the Delhi government continues to make unfounded accusations against Haryana. Yadav substantiated his claim with specific figures, highlighting that Delhi has been demanding 613 MGD (1,141 cusecs), which exceeds the figures specified by UYRB in its report - 1,011 cusecs at Munak and 924 cusecs at Bawana.The Haryana minister pointed out that even the letter from Delhi's Jal Water Minister admitted that Delhi received 513 MGD or 954 cusecs of water on June 18, 2024. This confirms the fact that Haryana has consistently provided Delhi with its full water share, and any water shortage in Delhi is solely due to internal mismanagement by the Delhi government.Yadav criticized the Delhi government for engaging in political drama over water issues instead of addressing internal mismanagement. He stated that it has become routine for the Delhi government to dramatize water-related issues, while Haryana consistently handles water matters fairly and transparently.The minister questioned why the Delhi government is not seeking water from Himachal Pradesh, despite the Supreme Court's decision on June 6 directing the release of 137 cusecs of additional water to Himachal Pradesh. He mentioned that Delhi Water Minister Atishi sent a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on May 22, asserting that Haryana's water release was inadequate to maintain the required pond level at Wazirabad.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. Despite facing a shortfall of 10 to 15 percent in water supply through the Yamuna river and Western Yamuna Canal (WJC) system, Haryana has implemented various schemes to maximize the efficient use of available water resources and effectively address the state's water shortages.In conclusion, Haryana Minister Abhe Singh Yadav has strongly refuted the allegations made by the Delhi government regarding water scarcity in the national capital. He emphasized that Haryana consistently provides Delhi with its full allocated share of water and any water shortage is solely due to internal mismanagement by the Delhi government. Yadav called for a collective responsibility in ensuring water supply to Delhi and criticized the Delhi government for engaging in political drama instead of addressing the real issues at hand.