Former Orissa Minister A P Singh passes away

Angul, Jul 17 (UNI) Former Orissa Minister and a senior leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Adwait Prasad Singh died at his residence here today after prolonged illness. He was 85.

Mr Singh, suffering from high blood pressure and other neurological problems, was bedridden for the last three years.

Family sources here said his mortal remains would be consigned to flames at Swargadwar in Puri today.

A staunch and ardent supporter of late Biju Patnaik, Mr Singh was elected to the Orissa Assembly four times and served as Minister twice.

He was first elected to the Assembly in 1974 as an Utkal Congress candidate from Angul and subsequently in 1977, 1990 and 2000 Assembly elections.

Mr Singh was a member of the Planning Commission in 2003.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his deep shock and profound grief over the demise of Mr Singh, whom he described as a popular leader and efficient administrator.

Mr Patnaik said Mr Singh had contributed a lot for the development of education in the state and strengthened the cooperative movement in the state.

''Orissa has lost a seasoned political leader in his death,'' the Chief Minister said.

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