‘Nothing should be given free, except where people need it’

The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed reservation towards the city government’s policy of providing 20 kilolitres of free water across the board for domestic use saying “nothing should be given free” except for where it is really needed.

A 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.”

Defends policy

The city government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) defended the policy saying it ensured conservation of water as there was a cap of 20 kilolitres 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. It could be understood if the relief was only being granted to people living in the slum clusters, the court said.

It also asked the DJB if there was any policy to regulate groundwater usage as private companies have been draining the water table of the Capital.

The DJB said such policies are there and assured the Bench that it will place it on the next date of hearing on July 23.

Meanwhile, Haryana told the court that it has encashed the cheques for ₹28.16 crore given to it by the DJB for repairing the Delhi Sub Branch Canal (DSBC) which also carries water to the Capital, besides the Munak canal.

Haryana said it has floated tenders for the repairs which would be opened in June and the work is expected to be completed in four months, thereafter.

The High Court on March 13 had directed Haryana and Delhi to take steps to immediately carry out the repairs of the DSBC, saying any delay in commencing the work would lead to wastage of water which would be really needed by the Capital.

The court was hearing a petition which said that the population in Delhi was increasing each day but the raw water available was the same or even decreasing.