Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday claimed the Centre has "declined" the request of Manmohan Singh's family for performing the funeral and last rites at a place where an appropriate memorial may be built. The government announced that a State funeral will be accorded to Singh and it will take place at 11:45 AM Saturday at Nigambodh Ghat. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold the funeral for Singh at a place where a memorial can be built later. He also said that this would be a befitting tribute to a leader of Singh's stature and also in keeping with past traditions of former prime ministers. There is no official word from the government on Kharge's request. However, Badal took to X to post, "Shocking and unbelievable! It is condemnable in the extreme that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji's family for performing the funeral and last rites of the highly distinguished leader at a place where a