Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena, has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s government, citing failures in addressing water scarcity issues. In an open letter addressed to the jailed Chief Minister, Saxena accused the government of negligence following the tragic death of a woman in a dispute over fetching water.

The letter comes in response to Water Minister Atishi’s call for the suspension of the CEO of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) after the aforementioned incident. Saxena criticized Atishi for exploiting the woman’s death for “narrow political goals” and highlighted the government’s failure to provide adequate water supply over the past decade.

Saxena pointed out that Atishi’s acknowledgment of water scarcity as the cause of the incident reflects the government’s incompetence, considering its nine-year tenure. He cited numerous instances of similar water-related conflicts and emphasized the deteriorating water situation, especially in impoverished areas, despite marginal increases in water treatment capacity.

Citing official figures from The Economic Survey 2023-24, Saxena highlighted a mere 4.4% increase in water treatment capacity over the last decade, contrasting with a significant 15% population growth. He noted a substantial increase in unaccounted-for water, indicating widespread leakage, theft, and non-payment issues.

Furthermore, Saxena stated that over two crore people in Delhi suffer from varying degrees of water scarcity, particularly in unauthorized colonies and slum clusters. He criticized the government’s failure to address infrastructure leaks, likening it to pouring water into a leaking bucket.

In response, Atishi accused Saxena of obstructing DJB works and urged him to initiate an independent inquiry into alleged acts of omission and commission by senior officers. Saxena, however, doubled down on his criticisms in a subsequent letter to Kejriwal, condemning the government’s handling of the water crisis.