THE CANAL OF CONTENTION

March 1976: Ten years after reorganisation of Punjab, the Centre allocates water of Ravi and Beas to Haryana. It was also decided to construct the Sutlej-yamuna Link (SYL) canal

1990: Punjab completes 114 of 121 km in its territory; work stalled after militants kill 35 labourers and two engineers

1996: Haryana moves Supreme Court against Punjab, seeking resumption of canal construction

2002: SC directs Punjab to complete construction

2004: The Punjab assembly passes legislation — Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, with Capt Amarinder Singh as CM, annulling all agreements related to sharing of water with neighbouring states. Haryana assembly responded with a resolution urging Centre to intervene; Centre seeks SC opinion through Presidential reference

Feb-march 2016: SC resumes Presidential reference hearing

Nov 10, 2016: SC verdict on Presidential reference declares Punjab Termination of Agreements Act invalid

Nov 15, 2016: Punjab cabinet through executive order returns SYL land to original owners; assembly passes resolution directing govt not to hand over land of Punjab to any agency for SYL

July 2017: Apex court asks Punjab and Haryana to find out of court resolution

July 9, 2019: SC directs Punjab and Haryana to form a committee, and resolve matter or it will do. Gives Sept 2 deadline

July 28, 2020: SC remarked that CMS of Haryana and

Punjab should meet and the outcome be informed to the court