India, Aug. 13 -- The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Punjab Government is very close to agreeing to its proposal on the issue of payment of dues to Himachal Pradesh arising out of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects since 1966.

On July 30, the Centre had told the apex court that an amicable settlement can be reached on a new cashless formula between the partner states for payment of arrears.

The top court had then recorded that the governments of Himachal and Haryana have in principle agreed to the Centre's proposal but the Punjab Government has objected.

The apex court had pulled up the Punjab Government for not agreeing to the proposal, observing that it has the habit of not following the decree of t...