Former minister Capt Rattan Singh passes away

Ludhiana, Dec 27 (UNI) Veteran Punjab Congress leader and a former minister, Capt Rattan Singh passed away at his native village Nurpur Bet, near here last night.

He was 89, and had been ailing for quite sometime.

Capt Singh was a World War-II veteran, having fought alongside Netaji Subash Chander Bose in the Azad Hind Fauj.

He remained a minister in the governments headed by the late Pratap Singh Kairon, Chaudhry Ram Kishan and Giani Zail Singh. He quit politics in 1985 and involved himself in educating farmers on the modern techniques of farming.

The Punjab government today declared a holiday in all its offices and educational institutions as a mark of respect. He will be cremated later in the evening with full state honours.

UNI XC-HS AD DS1310