Commenting on recent remarks by Chief Election Commissioner M.S.Gill that the state of a majority of farmers in Punjab was a cause for worry, the CM said that while he agreed with the view, this was no fault of his government. ``Land is a limited resource and the population continues to grow. Seventy per cent of the population of Punjab depends on agriculture, a situation which is perhaps unique. As holdings continue to get divided they reach a point where these are not economically viable,'' he added.

He said the state government was already taking steps to provide alternate means of employment in the rural areas. ``Focal points, where concessions are being granted to anyone setting up an industry, have already been developed. Two villages, one in Bathinda and one in Amritsar district, are the sites for demonstration centres for self-employment schemes''.

Asked about relief measures for farmers who have suffered losses due to damage to the paddy crop,the Chief Minister said that while he had full sympathy for their plight he had received no word from the Centre regarding the matter.

The Chief Minister was speaking to the press after the inauguration of the fifth international vetrenary immunology symposium being held at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana from November 8 to 13.