Terming Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's remarks on providing water to Delhi as "irresponsible", the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today pointed out that his state was legally bound to release 80 million gallons of water for the national capital every day.
In a statement issued here, AAP said it appeared that Khattar was unaware of the fact that Haryana is legally bound to release 80 million gallons of water into the Munak Canal for Delhi everyday, according to the memorandum of understanding signed between two states in 1993.
Khattar had yesterday said he would approach the Centre to find ways to resolve water scarcity in Delhi and Haryana.
Noting that Haryana does not have its own source of water, the Chief Minister had said that the national capital should also understand its requirements.
"We will approach the Centre and find out source of water from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and try to supply water from these sources to national capital," he had said.
"Khattar's irresponsible statement on Saturday that his government cannot release water for Delhi and would be able to do so only if other neighbouring states also help, clearly shows he still does not know about the legal obligations of his state government," the party said.
"Khattar would do well to go through the Delhi High Court order of November 27 in which Haryana government has been directed to release water for Delhi.
Delhi High Court had directed Haryana to release water into Munak canal which could result in around 80-90 million gallons per day of water being saved that can be used by people here.
Water from the Munak canal is expected to be supplied to the water treatment plants which cater to the residential areas of west and south Delhi.
"Haryana CM's attempts to shift the onus on the central government is misplaced, since the release of water can no longer be postponed and the BJP attempts to complicate the issue will be strongly rebuffed," AAP said in the statement.
It also said Delhi government has spent Rs 400 crore on the construction of Munak Canal over the last two decades and any attempt to scuttle water supply for the national capital will be resisted.
