'Expect change in Yamuna's state with new Delhi government': SC
What's the story
The Supreme Court of India has indicated that the recent political change in Delhi may finally put an end to the long-standing disputes over the Yamuna River.
The issues, which the court has been hearing since January 2021, mainly involve river cleaning and fair distribution of water from Haryana.
"Now, with changed circumstances, there will be a better implementation of plans," Justice BR Gavai said during a hearing on the issues.
Political shift
BJP's victory in Delhi could influence Yamuna dispute
The bench was hearing a suo motu case, which centered on the continued flow of effluents into the Yamuna, rendering its water poisonous.
Amicus curiae Meenakshi Arora urged the court to return the issue to the National Green Tribunal, which had been monitoring Yamuna pollution through the River Yamuna Monitoring Committee.
The tribunal dissolved the committee after the court took suo motu cognizance of the case in 2021. However, the issue has been pending for the past four years.
Counter claims
BJP's response to Kejriwal's allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controlled only the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh administrations earlier.
However, following a landslide victory over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP now controls all three states.
During its campaign, the BJP had slammed former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not keeping his promise to clean up the Yamuna River.
The BJP also contested Kejriwal's allegations that Haryana had contaminated the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi with "poison."
Cleanup efforts
BJP initiates Yamuna cleanup plan
In a bid to counter these claims, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini publicly drank Yamuna water.
The Election Commission reprimanded Kejriwal for his statements, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled them as "disgusting," asserting that he had consumed Yamuna water for 11 years.
In his victory speech, PM Modi also spoke about the river's condition and promised to start cleanup.
His party has launched a three-year plan to clean up Yamuna in Delhi.