New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar passed away in New Delhi on Wednesday.
He was 92. Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was a popular leader who enriched Parliamentary democracy.
Jakhar served as Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 during which he contributed to the establishment of Parliament Museum.
He also served as Agriculture Minister in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.
Jakhar also served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 30 June, 2004 to 30 May, 2009.
The President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of Dr. Balram Jakhar.
In a message to his son, Shri Sunil Jakhar, the President has said, “I am sad to learn about the passing away of your father, Dr. Balram Jakhar, an esteemed colleague and a dear friend of long years.
Dr Jakhar was a veteran Parliamentarian, having been Member of Lok Sabha for four terms (1980 to 1999) and Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly (1972 to 1979).
He was also a distinguished administrator who served the nation in various capacities. Dr. Jakhar worked with distinction as Union Minister of Agriculture from 1991 to 1996, Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 and Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.
He was one of the founders of the Bharat Krishak Samaj and as its life President made immense contribution to farmers and agriculture.
As Speakers of the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jakhar was instrumental in automation and computerisation of Parliamentary records and establishment of the Parliament Museum.
The nation will always remember his valuable contributions and pursuit of excellence in public life.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the members of your family. I pray to the Almighty to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of Congress veteran Balram Jakhar, saying he had enriched parliamentary democracy.
"Balram Jakhar ji was a popular leader who enriched our parliamentary democracy in his long political journey. Saddened by his demise," Modi tweeted.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi also has expressed grief over the demise of Jakhar.
In her message to the family of Jakhar, Gandhi said, "The Congress Party as indeed the entire nation will forever remember the contributions made by him during the course of his long public life, particularly to the cause of farming community."
"Be it as Legislator, Parliamentarian, Minister, Speaker or Governor, Dr Jakhar forever remained at the forefront in taking up issues concerning agriculture and farmers and his role in modernising the Parliament Secretariat was pioneering."
Jakhar also served as Deputy Minister Cooperation, Irrigation and Power in Punjab between 1973-77 and then Leader of Opposition in the Assembly between 1977 and 1979.
Jakhar was a four-time MP in Lok Sabha starting from his election in the seventh Lok Sabha in 1980. He was again elected in 1984, 1991 and 1998.
In 1980, he became Lok Sabha Speaker and served till 1989 for two terms during which he was instrumental in automation and computerisation of the House works.
He worked extensively for promotion of Parliament Library, smartening the reference, research and documentation system of the House and streamlining information for the members.
Jakhar headed Business Advisory Committee, Rules Committee; General Purposes Committee; and Standing Committee of the Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India.
In the party, he became General Secretary All India Congress Committee in 1990 and from 1992 he was member, Congress Working Committee.
