Former union minister's body laid to rest

Kochi, May 16 (UNI) The body of former union minister and veteran Congress leader Henry Austin was laid to rest with official honours here this evening.

Austin, 88, had died at Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. His body was brought here this evening after being kept at Indira Bhavan, the headquarters of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in the state capital, for public homage.

The last rites were conducted at the Infant Jesus Church. Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala were among those present at the funeral service.

District Collector M Beena laid the wreath on behalf of the state government.

Austin had held the portfolio of food and civil supplies, with the rank of a minister of state, in the Charan Singh government.

He had also served as Ambassador to Portugal.

He was on a visit to his daughter in Thiruvananthapuram when he complained of uneasiness and was taken to hospital yesterday. He died on way to the hospital.

He is survived by six daughters.

A condolence meeting was held near the parish hall after the funeral.

UNI ARC AL1842