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TOP STORIES

Birds’ Death at Bathinda Farm
Samples fail bird flu test
Bathinda, March 9
Twentyone special teams have been constituted by the Animal Husbandry Department to check further spread of the unidentified disease that has killed nearly 3,000 poultry birds in a farm near here. Top officers said the department had been put on high alert. However, the department has ruled out the possibility of avian influenza virus behind the birds’ death.

Decision on Budget date today: Manpreet
Chandigarh, March 9
Keeping in view the enforcement of the election code of conduct by the state Election Commission with regard to the panchayat elections, the Punjab government will take the final decision on the date regarding presenting the Budget in the state Assembly tomorrow. As per the schedule of the ongoing session released by the Vidhan Sabha secretariat a few days ago, finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal was to present the Budget in the House on March 17. However, with the enforcement of the model code of conduct on Friday, the situation has changed.

Conclave blames SAD for Panthic crisis
Amritsar, March 9
Representatives of various Sikh organisations at a conclave, jointly organised by the Dal Khalsa and the Khalsa Action Committee, here today expressed unanimity that ignoring merit while appointing Sikh high priests of various Takhts had created a crisis of sorts in the Panth. They held the ruling Akali Dal and the SGPC responsible for the present Panthic crisis which was a result of “arbitrary” decisions taken by the Sikh clergy who frequently succumb to the pressure of political leaders at the helm of affairs.

POLITICS

MLA objects to new syndics
Amritsar, March 9
Even as the secretary (Education), DPI, and an Akali MLA were conspicuous by their absence at the senate/syndicate meetings, Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University has decided to spend 50 per cent of its total budget (Rs 110.22 crore) on teaching, research, improvement of education.

COMMUNITY

Approval to Housing Colonies
Depts of housing, local bodies at loggerheads
Mohali, March 9
A tussle has started between the Department of Local Government and the Department of Housing in Punjab over the issue of approving colonies in the state.

Marriage registration Bill to be tabled
Chandigarh,March 9
The Punjab government will bring a Bill on the registration of marriage in the ongoing session of the Punjab Assembly. Sources said its draft had been sent to the legal authorities concerned for vetting.

Groom, baratis attacked for desecration
Amritsar, March 9
Five members of a marriage party, including the bridegroom, were allegedly attacked and injured by members of a community in the Islamabad area of the city here today for desecrating a religious site.



A policeman inspects the damaged car of the groom in the Haripura locality of Amritsar on Sunday. — Photo by Vishal Kumar

Marriages of 98 girls solemnised
Kherri (Sangrur), March 9 Ninetyeight girls of poor families were married off at a mass marriage ceremony held under the supervision of Sant Baba Daler Singh Ji Khalsa at Gurdwara Gurparkash Kherri Sahib, 7 km from Sangrur, here today.