CM Khattar in no mood to release more water to Delhi

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Sunday categorically said that his water-deficit state alone should not be banked upon for meeting the water needs of Delhi.

“Other states too should also come forward and pitch in with their contribution in this regard,” he said in his address at the meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi here Sunday. “Waters of the inter-state rivers should be declared national property and we should aim to achieve the national goals by putting aside inter-state disputes,” Khattar said.

“ Haryana is supplying more water than Delhi’s share of 719 cusec of water as per the 1996 agreement,” Haryana Irrigation Department official said.

Delhi has been seeking more water from Haryana for the last few years. Delhi is not going to gain much despite spending over Rs 400 crores on it.

While Delhi Jal Board’s Senior officer said the supply of water through Munak canal was started on 1 December, When the problem was discussed at a meeting conveyed by Urban development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and attend by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and lieutenant-Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung.

“Haryana is a water deficit state with respect to surface and ground water resources. The ground water level in the state, particularly in the fresh water zone, is depleting fast due to heavy exploitation,” Khattar said.