HC disapproves of AAP govt’s free water scheme
Nothing should be given free, says Delhi HC ◗ The government and DJB defended the policy, saying it ensured conservation of water as there was a cap on free usage
The AAP government’s policy of providing 20 kilo litres of free water across the board for domestic use on Thursday came in for criticism from the Delhi high court, which said “nothing should be given free” except for where it is really needed.
A two- judge bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said: “Nothing should be given free to nobody. Charge 10 paise or one paisa. Nothing should be given free, except where people really need it like the poor.” The observations came after the court’s attention was drawn to this fact by senior advocate and amicus curiae Rakesh Khanna.
The Delhi government and its Jal Board ( DJB), represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, defended the policy saying it ensured conservation of water as there was a cap of 20 kilo litres on free usage. The bench, however, said there were people who have illegally built several floors above the sanctioned limit. Such individuals were also getting the benefit of free water when they can afford to pay for it. The court said it could be understood if the relief was only being granted to people living in the slum clusters and asked DJB if there was any policy to regulate ground water usage as private companies have been draining the water table of the national capital.
The DJB said such policies were there and assured the bench that it will place it on the next date of hearing on July 23. Meanwhile, the state of Haryana told the court that it has encashed the cheques for ` 28.16 crore given to it by DJB for repairing the Delhi Sub Branch Canal ( DSBC) which also carries water to the national capital, besides the Munak canal.