Resolve SYL canal issue amicably: SC to Hry, Pb

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave one more chance to the states of Punjab and Haryana to find an "amicable" solution for their long-standing dispute over the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, ordered by the top court in 2002, even as it criticised Punjab for its "high handedness" in passing a law de-notifying the land meant for the canal in an attempt to defeat the 2002 verdict.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

The hearing came even as the two states are locked in a separate legal battle over water sharing, with Punjab disregarding the Bhakra Beas Management Board as well as the Union government, and refusing to share water with Haryana.

Hearing a suit filed by Haryana seeking implementation of the 2002 order, a bench of justices Bhushan R Gavai and Augustine George Masih granted time for the two states to reach an amicable settlement through talks being facilitated by Centre failing which the matter will be taken up on August 13.