SEEKS ITS LEGITIMATE WATER SHARE

Haryana is a water-deficit state; water availability is 61% less than the total requirement. Out of 126 blocks of the state, 71 are overexploited in groundwater. In half of the state, canal water can be supplied after a gap of 32 days for only eight days, it is difficult to even meet the drinking water needs. Water availability in Yamuna has declined drastically as compared to previous years and even out of this reduced availability Haryana has to meet the drinking water requirements of the national capital. Despite the Centre’s orders of 1976, tripartite agreement between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan in 1981, Rajiv Longowal accord in 1995 and two historical decisions of the Supreme Court in 2002 and 2004, Haryana has been deprived of more than half of its legitimate share of 3.5 million acre feet (MAF) in surplus Ravi-Beas waters, which has resulted in reduction in agriculture production of 8 lakh tonnes of foodgrains annually, causing a perpetual annual loss of about Rs 1,000 crore. Instead of fulfilling its legal and constitutional obligation to provide Haryana its legitimate share of water, the Punjab government passed the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act in 2004, which was a blow to the constitutional structure of the country and attempt of contempt of SC orders. The matter is being heard by a constitution bench after being referred by the President for advice to the apex court.