THE Punjab government on Tuesday cleared mega projects worth Rs 1,345 crore including the Rs 300 crore project of Grasim Industries at Lehra Mohabat. The mega projects were approved by the empowered committee on mega projects under the chairmanship of chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal. A spokesman of the Punjab government said here on Tuesday that these were the first clearances given after the formulation of new government policy for mega projects. Earlier on August 14, 41 pending projects worth Rs 26,343 crore were approved by the empowered committee. The projects cleared on Tuesday includes those of Aarti International, Avani Textiles, Oswal Spinning & Weaving Mills, Shiva Fibers, Grospinz Fabz, Vallabh Textiles, Grasim Industries and Mukesh Udyog. The empowered committee conceded the demand of the mega investors that stamp duty be charged only on the land in question and not on the entire cost of the project. The chief minister ordered that ambiguity in the policy on this issue, if any, should be immediately removed. Mr Badal urged investors to utilise the services of the security personnel trained by the Punjab Police in their industrial units who had been well equipped with hi-tech gadgets to efficiently combat security hazards. Mr Badal also asked the investors to tie up with the jail authorities of Ludhiana to impart training to the jail inmates in knitting.