In a twist in the Supreme Court battle over Delhi's spiralling water crisis, Himachal Pradesh has said it does not have surplus water to send to the national capital, a day after the hill state said it had released water for Delhi and the supply needs to go through Haryana.
As Delhi residents reel under the double blow of a heatwave and water crisis, the Supreme Court had directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and told Haryana to facilitate its flow. The court had said the drinking water shortage has become an "existential problem" in Delhi.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said the state has already released water. "We have released water. We have asked advocates to inform the Supreme Court about this. The water we have released, we are ready to give that water. There are no ifs and buts."
In a U-turn, Himachal government's counsel told the court today that the 137 cusecs water was "unutilised after use of irrigation and part of natural course of river flow". "We could not convey it properly earlier. Our correct statement may come on record. Maybe we made a mistake earlier, but I have been briefed. I will correct and withdraw the earlier statement that flow was obstructed," he said.
This drew a warning from the court. "We can haul you up for contempt and summon your Chief Secretary," it said.