IPL a small issue, larger point is water crisis, says Rajasthan High Court

[[JUGRAJ SINGH]]

The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to file a detailed report on management of potable water supply for the next two summer months (May-June) considering the serious water crisis facing the state.

The division bench of acting chief justice Ajay Rastogi and DC Somani asked the government to file detailed report by April 30 on a PIL by Mahesh Pareek questioning the logic of shifting the IPL matches to Jaipur from Mumbai when the desert state is also reeling under similar drought conditions. It argued that holding of matches in Jaipur would lead to waste of thousands of litres of water per day .

The court observed that though IPL in Jaipur has brought the city to the limelight, the issue of water is a serious one. The court observed: "IPL is a small issue; the larger point is the looming water crisis.The government has to balance both the issues based on priorities."

The government has to explain how it plans to manage the water supply in the next two months when summer is at its peak, it said, directing the Advocate General Narpatmal Lodha to file the report in the next three days and adjourned the matter till May 3.

The counsel for the petitioner Prateek Kasliwal said the situation on water front is very grave and the government seems to be unaware of it. "We are not against entertain ment but the issue of drinking water is of paramount importance and should be the priority of the government as per the water policy ," he said.

Rajasthan Cricket Association in its reply said the maintenance of the stadium is a continuous process and holding of matches will not in any way lead to any increase in the consumption of water on this count. On the other hand, it said the watering of the stadium is stopped for a few days ahead of matches which will save water.