Chandigarh, Nov 13 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday called upon all the intellectuals, academicians, industrialists and other stakeholders to join hands for making Punjab a frontrunner state in the country.

Addressing a gathering during 'Vision Punjab' conclave here, the chief minister said Punjab is a fertile land which has been blessed by saints, seers, prophets and martyrs.

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Despite being a sacred land, Punjab has lagged behind in the pace of development due to the apathetic approach of the previous regimes, he said.

Mann said the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have made the country self-reliant in food production but are facing the apathy of those in power at the Centre.

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Speaking over the issue of stubble burning, Mann said lodging FIRs against farmers is not the solution to tackle this problem as it involves social stigma.

He underlined the need for developing a sustainable mechanism for the management of the paddy straw.

It is unfortunate that despite huge lip service, no tangible solution for paddy has been found so far for the paddy straw burning, he said.

Mann said it is a long pending issue of the entire northern region but the farmers lack any viable mechanism to manage crops residue.

Farmers do not want to burn the stubble as the families of farmers first have to face the brunt of this menace, he said.

The Union government and the state governments have to join hands by preparing a joint action plan to combat this menace by ensuring proper paddy straw management, he said.

Batting for guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) on alternative crops to safeguard the interests of the farmers, Mann said Punjab suffered by losing its only available natural resources in terms of over exploitation of fertile soil and water in order to make the country self-reliant in food production.

For producing one kg of rice, around 3,500 litres of water is consumed due to which the water table of the state has gone to a danger level, he said.

He also said the assured marketing of these crops can encourage the farmers for crop diversification.

Asserting that the Panjab University at Chandigarh is part of the emotional, cultural, literature and rich legacy of the state, Mann said they need no share of Haryana in the university, which is an apex educational institute of the region.

He said neither any college of Haryana will be given affiliation from the university nor will any attempt of Haryana for back door entry in the senate of university be allowed.

Mann bemoaned that regular attempts are being made to change the status of the university but he said the Punjab government will not allow any such move in the larger interests of the students.

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