Former Lok Sabha speaker Balram Jakhar passed away on Wednesday. The body is being taken to Abohar in Punjab for cremation on Thursday, his son and former Congress Legislature Party leader of Punjab Sunil Jakhar said.
Jakhar served as Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 for two terms during which he contributed to the establishment of Parliament Museum and he was also instrumented in automation and computerisation of the House works. He also served as Agriculture Minister in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.
Jakhar also served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from June 30, 2004 to May 30, 2009.
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.
He worked extensively for promotion of Parliament Library, smartening the reference, research and documentation system of the House and streamlining information for the members.
Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi and other leaders paid homage to veteran leader Dr. Balram Jakhar on Wednesday. “Be it as a 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,” said Gandhi.
Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi said, “”Extremely saddened by the passing away of veteran Congress leader Dr Balram Jakharji.In his passing, the Congress Party has lost a stalwart. His immense contribution to the nation in his long political career as parliamentarian, union minister & governor will always be remembered,” he said in a series of tweets.
“Sad to learn about the passing away of Dr. Balram Jakhar, colleague and dear friend of long years. The nation will always remember his valuable contributions and pursuit of excellence in public life,” President wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
