The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Atishi, L-G office trade barbs over ‘tanker mafia’
AMID REPORTS of severe water shortage in several parts of the city, Water Minister Atishi and the office of the Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena, on Wednesday traded barbs over the presence of a “tanker mafia” in the national capital.
Atishi, writing to Saxena, urged that an enquiry be instituted against senior officials in the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), alleging that they may have illegal ties with the “tanker mafia”. She said the reduction in the number of water tankers deployed in the city, despite her instructions, proved her allegations.
According to sources, in June 2023, 1,323 tankers were available; this came down to 881 in March this year and finally to 1,211 in June.
The Minister wrote on X on Wednesday, “The reduction in DJB tankers could have created scope for illegal private tankers.”
The office of the L-G, meanwhile, said that despite “knowing that a large-scale water mafia” was operating in Delhi, DJB (Delhi Jal Board) had never filed a complaint with the police; neither did officials ask the L-G to take action.
The L-G’S secretariat also wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner asking him to ensure strict vigil along the Munak Canal to prevent theft by the “water mafia” and to present a compliance report to the Lt Governor’s secretariat within a week.
His office also blamed Atishi for “lying” and issuing a “patently false statement, blaming Haryana for the scarcity of water in Delhi.”
His office said that the Haryana government’s affidavit had clearly stated that Delhi’s share of water was being provided.
The affidavit submitted in Supreme Court stated that “not even on a single day” had Haryana released less than the mandated 1,050 cusecs to Delhi.
On Wednesday evening, Atishi posted on X that the L-G'S office had sent a press release where she had been abused. “Very bad things have been said about me… I know that you and the BJP people hate us a lot because the people of Delhi repeatedly make their son Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister with a huge majority… But do not stop the water supply of Delhiites because of your hatred towards us… If the BJP government of Haryana provides water to Delhi, then all the people of Delhi will get relief,” she posted in Hindi.
In response, the office of the Lt Governor posted: “L-G sahab did not abuse you. L-G'S office has refuted the abuses and blatant lies you uttered yesterday, with evidence, and exposed your habit of misleading the people of Delhi. He still hopes that you will stop water theft and wastage in
Delhi and provide water to the people.”
Atishi, meanwhile, in her letter, also sought the formation of a committee to investigate the roles of the Chief Secretary and CEO of DJB and called for their suspension during the proceedings to prevent any influence.
She alleged that despite asking the officers to increase the number of water tankers available to distribute water, her concerns were not acted upon.
Sources said that she had raised the issue with the officers once in March and twice in April, asking that the number of tankers available to DJB not be reduced. She also listed the areas facing acute water shortage and anticipated a crisis-like situation in case action was not taken, sources said.
On May 21, Atishi called for urgent action within 24 hours to increase the number of water tankers.
A quick-response team comprising Tehsildars and other officials, meanwhile, has been formed to address water-related complaints and ensure availability of water tankers. Additional District Magistrates and Subdivisional Magistrates have also been deployed to prevent the wastage of water.