S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), October 24:
In order to ensure the overall development of the villages, the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday announced development grant of Rs. 68 crore for 35 villages of Block Kharar in Sri Chamkaur Sahib constituency. Besides, the Chief Minister also announced the upgradation of the historic village Gharuan as Nagar Panchayat.
The Chief Minister also disbursed cheques worth Rs. 14 crore to the Panchayats of these villages while sanctioning Rs. 54 crore more.
Starting the 4th day of Sri Chamkaur Sahib constituency tour from Village Gharuan falling in Block Kharar of S.A.S. Nagar District, Channi distributed cheques to panchayats of 35 villages during different functions.
Addressing the gathering at Gharuan, the Chief Minister said that in view of the historical importance of the village, it would be upgraded to the status of a Nagar Panchayat so as to ensure unhindered progress which would also be beneficial to the nearby villages. Announcing Rs. 3.25 crore for the renovation of sacred sarovar in the village, Channi said that no stone would be left unturned for its beautification and developing the same as a tourist spot. The village people thanked the Chief Minister for the project.
Speaking at village Garanga, Channi said that his government has unveiled a special scheme for waiving off the electricity bill arrears of consumers having load up to 2 Kw so that the financial burden on the people could be reduced.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that under the scheme, the process of waiver been started. Appealing to the people to drive maximum benefit from the scheme, Channi said that till now arrears worth Rs. 77.37 crore of 96,911 consumers have been waived off in the State. The Chief Minister also handed over bill waiver certificate of Rs. 2,26,890 to Atma Singh of Cholta Khurd.
While distributing the cheques to 9 panchayats at village Garanga, the Chief Minister exhorted the panchayat representatives to themselves check the quality of development works apart from directing the District Administarion to leave no stone unturned in ensuring all round progress of the rural areas.
The panchayats of various villages honoured the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for undertaking the development projects.
