‘Yamuna poisoning’ remark made amid Delhi health crisis: Kejri to EC
Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday told the Election Commission that his remarks — accusing the Haryana Government of poisoning the Yamuna — were made in the context of an urgent and alarming public health crisis, concerning the deteriorating quality of drinking water in Delhi.
“The verifiable fact remains that Delhi, as a lower riparian state, depends on raw water supplies from Haryana, an upper riparian state, for potable water. The alleged statements were made in furtherance of an imperative public duty to highlight the severe toxicity and contamination of raw water received from Haryana, which presents an imminent and direct threat to public health,” the AAP convener said.
The former Chief Minister cited a letter of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO, which revealed that the water of the Yamuna contained 7 ppm of ammonia — 700% above the permissible limit — posing a severe public health risk.
As per Kejriwal, the DJB CEO’s letter highlighted the persistent increase in ammonia in the raw water being supplied to Delhi.
Two days ago, Kejriwal alleged the BJP-ruled Haryana was releasing poison into the Yamuna and “there was an attempt of genocide in the Capital.” The EC, in a letter to Kejriwal, said there must be a factual foundation to his allegations.
