Putting aside their differences, the Samata Party and the Janata Dal (United) today announced their merger ahead of the Assembly poll in five states. The party, post-merger, has been rechristened the Janata Dal (United) and will work under the leadership of the Samata Party President and Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes.

Liquor vends closed after Tribune report

Chandigarh, October 30 Liquor vends, both of Indian-made foreign liquor and country liquor, dotting national and state highways, were yesterday ordered to be closed. However, some of them reopened today.
As if a fresh coat of paint was not enough, officials of the Excise Department put ‘‘crosses’’ to declare this vend ‘out of bonds’ for consumers. This picture was taken by Karam Singh on the Chandigarh-Banur road on Thursday.

35 ultrasound machines sealed in Haryana
Chandigarh, October 30
The Haryana Health Department has sealed 35 ultrasound machines for allegedly conducting sex determination tests. The action came after a special task force constituted to enforce the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test Act raided several ultrasound centres in Narwana, Jind, Kurukshetra, Hisar and Ambala.

Haryana page: Registration of ultrasound centre cancelled

Now, Qadian girl awaits marriage in Pak Qadian (Amritsar),  October 30 Tahira, a Pakistani national, was lucky to get marriage visa by the Indian High Commission.  Mr Sheikh Abdul Qadeer, helpless father of Nasirk Parwin Hai of Qadian, who could not be granted visa even after two years of her “Nikah” with a Pakistani boy. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma