DW BUREAU / RUPNAGAR On the first day for distributing cheques to the villages and holding public meetings in the Sri Chamkaur Sahib Constituency, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday announced a slew of development projects worth Rs. 1000 crore for the overall development of various villages of Chamkaur Sahib constituency. The Chief Minister also distributed the cheques to the tune of Rs. 60 crore to the panchayats of 75 villages of Sri Chamkaur Sahib Block. The Chief Minister also started the process for waiving off the outstanding electricity bills as per his government's promise made to the people by symbolically burning the copies of bills with pending arrears and asked the people to forget the liabilities of the old bills. The Punjab Government has implemented the decision to waive the arrears of all consumers with power load up to 2 KW. Addressing the gatherings organized at Sandhuan, Gaggon, Bhairon Majra, Bela, Wazidpur and Mehtot villages, the emotionally charged Chief Minister said "I am indebted to all of you for electing me from this constituency for the third consecutive time after which the Congress High Command has now awarded me the post of Chief Minister." He stated that with his elevation as the Chief Minister of Punjab, now the elected representative of every village has in fact become the Chief Minister. Addressing the gathering at village Bhairon Majra, Mr. Channi said "I have been telling you in the last elections that once you elect me as your representative in assembly, you can get whatever you want, but now I have got the post of Chief Minister. I will surely do whatever you say." He said that no stone would be left unturned for the development work in this backward area of Sri Chamkaur Sahib. The Chief Minister also said that although universities have been set up in other regions in Punjab but it was a matter of pride for all of us that for the first time a government university was being set up here at the pious land of Martyrs of Sri Chamkaur Sahib. He said that 42 acres of land has been purchased for the construction of the Sri Gobind Singh Skill University. The Chief Minister also disclosed that tenders worth Rs.100 crore have been floated for the construction of this Skill Development University which would come up with the total cost of Rs. 500 crore. The Chief Minister announced Rs. 1.13 crore for a stadium at Village Mehtot apart from constructing a 100 bedded hospital at Sri Chamkaur Sahib. He said that work for this state of the art hospital has already been commenced. The Chief Minister said that fulfilling the long standing demand of the people of the constituency, the foundation stone of Rs 114 Crore 'Bela Bridge' would be laid on October 30. He also added that the compensation of Rs. 70 lakh per acre would be given to the farmers whose land would be acquired for the bridge construction. Underlining the need of world class healthcare facilities, the Chief Minister informed that the proposal to set up a world class Trauma Center at Morinda has been accepted and the construction work would be started soon. He added that the classes at ITIs Tripuri and Rasulpur of the constituency have been started from this academic session and buildings would be completed by next year. (editor@dailyworld.in)