SYL dispute: SC urges early "amicable solution" between Punjab, Haryana

Punjab was directed by the SC to make the SYL canal functional in a year.

Punjab sought a review of this decision, which was dismissed in SC in March 2002.

In 2003, Punjab sought a release from its obligation to build the canal.

In 2004, SC asked Centre under the supervision of a high-power committee to take up construction of the canal in Punjab.

In 2004, the Punjab government decided to scrap the water-sharing arrangements with neighbouring states and withdrew from giving water to other states.

The Punjab assembly unilaterally announced the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act 2004.

The act clearly declared that Punjab was "nullifying all agreements on water sharing and that no water would be given to Haryana."

The Punjab State Assembly unanimously passed a bill against the building of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, in an attempt to divest its neighbouring states from getting water from Punjab's rivers.

It also sought to transfer the land's proprietary rights back to the farmers free of cost.

Leader of Opposition Charanjit Singh Channi supported the bill on behalf of the Congress Party.

The Haryana assembly strongly objected to the bill passed by the Punjab assembly.

CM Khattar said Punjab's decision to de-notify the land for the SYL canal was "unilateral, unconstitutional and denying the authority of the Supreme Court, a step only to draw political mileage".

Further, Khattar returned Punjab's cheque for approximately "Rs. 191crore in lieu of all the funds it received for the project."

Amarinder Singh of the Punjab Congress resigned from the Lok Sabha over the SC verdict on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water sharing agreement.

Singh met speaker Sumitra Mahajan to tender his resignation from the house over what he called "injustice" meted out to the people of Punjab.

Singh had announced his resignation much earlier, in the wake of the SC verdict.

The Supreme Court has directed Punjab and Haryana govt. to find an "amicable solution" to the longstanding Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal dispute.

The Centre has invited both on April 20 to attempt an out-of-court settlement; if negotiations fail, the court would continue hearing the matter on April 27.

"The Government of India is very keen to find a solution," said Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar.