Kejriwal Responds to EC Notice on Yamuna Water Contamination Claims, Points Finger at Haryana
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Synopsis
Arvind Kejriwal responds to the Election Commission regarding his remarks on Yamuna water pollution, blaming Haryana for a public health crisis. He emphasizes safe drinking water as a human right and highlights the role of the Delhi Jal Board in mitigating the issue.
Key Takeaways
- Arvind Kejriwal blames Haryana for Yamuna water contamination.
- Claims of severe health risks due to toxic water.
- The Delhi government is not responsible for water quality issues.
- Political tensions escalate ahead of Delhi Assembly elections.
- PM Modi refutes allegations against Haryana.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, has submitted his response to the notice issued by the Election Commission of India concerning his remarks on the contamination of Yamuna water, attributing the situation to Haryana's inability to manage pollution, which he claims has led to an alarming public health crisis.
In his reply, the ex-Chief Minister stated, "It is undeniable that there exists 7 ppm ammonia in Yamuna water... The letter from DJB's CEO acknowledges that toxicity levels are 700 percent above the acceptable limit."
He pointed out that the "primary cause identified by the DJB's letter is the reckless discharge of industrial waste by Haryana."
Kejriwal emphasized that safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, asserting that raising concerns for the community cannot be deemed an offence. He noted that the issue of toxic water supply from Haryana is not new, with DJB having previously approached the NGT and the Supreme Court.
"If such toxic water is allowed to be ingested by the human population, it would result in severe health risks and fatalities," Kejriwal remarked.
He further stated that the Delhi government has no involvement in the heightened levels of toxic water supplied to the national capital by Haryana, which is an upper-riparian state.
"Due to the elevated levels of toxicity in the raw water supplied by Haryana, water treatment plants are functioning below capacity, resulting in a shortage of treated water in Delhi," the AAP leader explained.
As Delhi Assembly elections approach, Kejriwal accused the BJP of 'contaminating the city's water supply' to create chaos with hopes of shifting the blame onto his administration.
"Delhi residents receive drinking water from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh... but the Haryana government has tainted the water flowing from Yamuna to Delhi... it is solely due to the diligence of our Delhi Jal Board engineers that this water was intercepted," asserted the former Chief Minister.
During a rally in Delhi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also directly countered AAP's allegations, firmly denying that Haryana was polluting Yamuna's water and mocking the suggestion that the BJP-led state government would poison its own citizens.
The Haryana Chief Minister reacted to the accusations, criticizing Kejriwal.
“Chief Minister Atishi Marlena ji of AAP, you are invited to the banks of Yamuna in Palla village. There is no poison in the water coming to Delhi from Haryana, but perhaps your thoughts are tainted,” stated the Haryana Chief Minister.
In the midst of the ongoing uproar regarding the Yamuna River, the Haryana Chief Minister drank water from the river near the Delhi border, further denouncing Kejriwal for allegedly spreading falsehoods.
"I drank the water from the sacred Yamuna at the Haryana border without any fear. Kejriwal has lied outright. I even have relatives in Delhi. The AAP convener should promptly issue an apology," the Haryana Chief Minister posted on X.
