M A I N   N E W S

Offices, schools closed
5-day state mourning declared
Tribune News Service

MOHALI: The Class X and XII examinations being conducted by the Punjab School Education Board will go on as scheduled despite the holiday declared by the Punjab Government. This was stated by the board chairman, Dr Kehar Singh, here on Thursday.

Chandigarh, April 1
The Punjab Government has declared a holiday tomorrow in all its offices, boards, corporations and educational institutions as a mark of respect to Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC chief, and member of the Rajya Sabha, who passed away early this morning. State government offices also remained closed today as a holiday was declared this morning.

The state government has also decided to observe state mourning for five days. Consequently all public functions, meetings and official engagements have been cancelled. During the state mourning, the National Flag will fly at half mast at all state buildings. The Punjab Government has called a meeting of the Council of Ministers to offer condolences to the departed soul.

A government spokesman said Mr Tohra would be cremated at his native Tohra village tomorrow with full state honours in view of his services to the nation. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, along with his Cabinet colleagues would attend the cremation tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, Col J.S. Bala, secretary of the Sikh Educational Society, said all educational institutions of the society in Chandigarh and elsewhere would remain closed for three days starting from today as a mark of respect to Mr Tohra. However, examinations and other tests would be held as scheduled, he added.