Turning the smoke-filled ‘blame-game’ into a laugh-worthy and thought-provoking affair, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday took a playful jab at Pakistani Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif following her call for a diplomatic dialogue between two nations on air pollution.
Addressing the “Punjab Vision 2047” conclave on the second and concluding day, Mann’s wit and humour sparkled as he responded to Maryam Nawaz’s recent remarks about Lahore suffering from pollution allegedly drifting over from Indian Punjab. “Everyone’s blaming us,” Mann quipped. “Delhi says our smoke is ruining their air; now Maryam Nawaz…daughter of Nawaz Sharif….she says it’s Lahore. It seems our Punjab smoke is on a world tour,” he laughed, leaving the audience in stitches. The light-hearted comment came with a call for unity rather than finger-pointing over the pollution crisis.
Mann’s remarks didn’t stop at the “letter” Maryam Nawaz suggested she might send him to formally blame Indian Punjab. Tongue firmly in cheek, Mann welcomed the “letter”, saying, “Maryam, do write to me about your woes!” and further joked about earlier controversies involving a “Pakistani friend” of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, without taking any names. “Earlier also, we were troubled by one Pakistani lady…now Maryam wants to add to our headaches. Go ahead, join the line,” Mann chuckled, bringing a bit of levity to a serious topic.
But under the humour lay a pointed message. The pollution crisis, often exacerbated by stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, has sparked tension as Delhi blames these states for worsening air quality. Mann acknowledged the seasonal smoke issue and explained the complex situation farmers face post-harvest when they burn paddy residue to quickly prepare fields for the next crop. However, he emphasized that tackling air pollution should involve collaboration, not just accusations. “It’s not just Punjab’s problem; it affects Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and beyond,” Mann noted.
In response to media questions, Mann championed crop diversification as a long-term solution, encouraging farmers to shift from paddy to less water-intensive and more environmentally friendly crops like maize and millet. The government, he said, must ensure farmers receive equal earnings from these alternative crops, so they aren’t financially penalized for making a sustainable switch. “Our farmers must be empowered to choose options beyond paddy – which isn’t even a staple in Punjab,” he added.
CENTRE MUST INCENTIVIZE FARMERS TO CURB STUBBLE BURNING: MANN
Taking a strong stance on issues plaguing Punjab’s agricultural sector, particularly stubble burning and the Centre’s inadequate support for farmers, Mann underscored the need for collaboration with the Centre to address regional concerns and ensure Punjab’s progress. Mann highlighted the ongoing controversy over stubble burning, where Punjab’s farmers are frequently blamed for contributing to air pollution, especially affecting Delhi.
“When food is needed, farmers are hailed as ‘annadata’, but when they burn stubble due to lack of alternatives, FIRs are filed against them,” Mann said, criticizing the punitive approach taken against farmers rather than offering viable solutions. Mann argued for a sustainable mechanism to tackle stubble burning, noting that farmers are often forced into it because of the rapid crop rotation between paddy and wheat.
Mann called on the Centre to either provide a subsidy of Rs 2,000 per acre to help farmers manage crop residue or to implement Minimum Support Price (MSP) for alternative crops, which would motivate a switch from water-intensive paddy cultivation.
Punjab is bearing the environmental costs of feeding the nation, he said, pointing out that each kilogram of rice consumes around 3,500 liters of water, severely depleting Punjab’s groundwater reserves. “Punjab is not just giving rice but also our precious water,” he stressed, advocating for better incentives to reduce dependency on paddy and move towards crop diversification. The Chief Minister emphasized that solutions require the cooperation of neighbouring states and the Union Government to address a crisis affecting the entire northern region.
Educational and Economic Reforms
Mann shifted focus to the strides made by the State Government in education, with the establishment of ‘Schools of Eminence’ and significant progress in government school achievements. He proudly cited the success of 158 government school students clearing the prestigious JEE exams, which he attributed to Punjab’s improved educational standards. “Our students are like planes; the Government just needs to provide them a launch pad to soar high,” he said, while outlining plans for opening eight hi-tech centers across Punjab to prepare students for competitive exams, with a vision to place more youth in top administrative positions.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Punjab’s industrial potential, revealing that major corporations, including Tata Steel, are investing in the State. Mann explained that Punjab’s economic strategy includes encouraging the food processing industry to enable farmers to generate higher profits and create more job opportunities locally.
Centre’s Funding Hurdles
Expressing frustration with what he called a “step-motherly” treatment from the Centre, Mann lamented the delayed release of funds owed to Punjab under the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and the National Health Mission (NHM). “Punjab had once held the country’s arm, providing food security; now it is time for the Centre to hold Punjab’s arm,” Mann urged, stressing the need for timely funding to support state initiatives in healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare.
AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP and World Punjabi Organisation president Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney reinforced Mann’s stance, advocating for a united effort among Punjab’s MPs to push for timely fund disbursements in the upcoming parliamentary session. Dr Sahney suggested that expanding trade routes, like opening the Wagah border for commerce with Pakistan and Central Asia, would further strengthen Punjab’s economic prospects and address trade deficits.
Celebrating Punjab’s Global Impact and Legacy
In a moment of pride, Mann lauded the global accomplishments of Punjabis, noting their indelible contributions across various sectors worldwide. “From top engineers at Boeing to the CEOs of Flipkart and Mastercard, Punjabis have made a mark globally,” he said, reflecting the state’s rich heritage of resilience and hard work.
Mann also made a firm statement on protecting Panjab University from attempts to alter its status, asserting that Punjab would not allow Haryana to intrude into its educational legacy. “Panjab University is part of our cultural and emotional heritage; no backdoor entry into its Senate will be allowed,” Mann declared, underscoring the University’s importance to Punjab’s educational landscape.
Path Ahead: A Vision of Collective Growth
Mann reiterated his commitment to Punjab’s progress through education, economic reform, and environmental responsibility, calling on intellectuals, academicians, and industry leaders to join him in transforming Punjab into a frontrunner state. His message was clear: Punjab’s future is bright, but it requires unified action across state and national lines to achieve its full potential.
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Jobs for Youth Key to Curb Drug Addiction, Lawlessness: Punjab Governor
Chandigarh: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Wednesday emphasized the critical need for youth employment to tackle rising drug addiction and lawlessness in Punjab during his address at the closing session of the “Punjab Vision 2047” Conclave. The two-day event, organized by Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, International President of the World Punjabi Organisation, in collaboration with the Punjab Development Commission and Panjab University, highlighted strategies to propel Punjab towards balanced development by 2047.
Reflecting on Punjab’s pivotal role in addressing India’s food crisis after the 1965 war, Kataria remarked, “Punjab not only addressed our hunger needs but also fed other nations. With our rich history, Punjab is uniquely positioned to lead India to uniform development.” However, he noted that law and order issues hinder the region’s growth, deterring potential investors from the State.
Kataria, addressing the contentious issue of paddy straw burning, called for a practical approach beyond legislation. “When the time between harvesting and sowing is minimal, expecting farmers to clear fields without straw burning is unrealistic,” he said, stressing the need for environmentally friendly solutions. He also called for advancements in organic farming methods to limit agricultural chemicals without sacrificing crop yields.
Kataria emphasized that improved education and vocational training are critical to equipping youth for meaningful employment, which in turn deters antisocial activities and drug addiction. “Employment is not only a solution for economic stability but also a remedy for social issues like addiction,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vikramjit Sahney highlighted the importance of reopening the Wagah border for trade, which would boost exports to Central Asia, benefiting Punjab’s economy. He also advocated for increased international flights from Amritsar and Mohali to expand Punjab’s industrial reach. Dr Sahney stressed the necessity of support prices for alternative crops like maize to reduce the ecological burden caused by wheat and paddy cultivation.
Environmental activist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal lamented the deteriorating state of Punjab’s air, water, and soil, underscoring the need for sewage treatment plants to recycle wastewater for irrigation. He emphasized that cost-effective sewage treatment can help curb pollution, a view supported by former Special Task Force member Col Jasjit Singh Gill, who stressed the need to eliminate corruption within the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
