Addressing a big gathering after laying foundation stone of a 800-feet long bridge at Sharangpur last evening. He said that with the completion of the system, more than 30,000 hectares of agriculture land would be brought under its purview. ``The process for digging up work of 40 more new tubewells in and around the Dera Bassi block was being undertaken and it would be completed by March-end,'' he assured.

He said that the government was investing a sum of Rs 5 crore over the construction of bridge that would benefit people specially residing at Khelan, Malan, Jodhpur, Sarangpur, Antala and Rajapur villages.

While inaugurating a cash collection centre for the payment of water and electricity bill at Handeshra, he resolved that the electricity problem in and around the Lalru village would be sorted out with completion of 66 KV power sub-station at Handeshra village within the next two months where the construction work was being undertaken at a war-footing.

The Finance Minister after giving financial assistance to 20 panchayats, 12 poor and 12 thresher victims, laid the foundation of another bridge at Jawaharpur. This 200-feet long bridge would cost Rs 1.25 crore. He also pressed the button of a tubewell worth Rs 18 lakh at Gujran Kheri near here. He also announced that a bus service from Samgauli to Chandigarh would start from January 1. Accompanied by Punjab Tubewell Corporation chairman Hari Singh Zira, he later participated the annual function of the local Sarvhitkari School where he laid the foundation stone of an additional building of the school.

Capt also announced financial assistance of Rs 75,000 for the construction of a dharamshala, Rs 3 lakh for the maintenance of civic amenities to Kheri Gujran village, Rs 25 for cremation ground, Rs 1 lakh for Sarvhitkari school.