Himachal Pradesh assembly today mourned the passing away of former Congress minister Sagar Chand Nayyar who died in Chamba yesterday.
When the House met for the day, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh addressed the members and lauded the minister's contribution to the party.
He participated in the freedom struggle and his death is a great loss to the Congress party, he said, after which the members stood in two-minute silence as mark of respect to the memory of the departed.
Veteran Congress leader and former minister Sagar Chand Nayyar died at his residence at Chamba yesterday. He was 88. The leader is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
Describing Nayyar as a simple man and an extraordinary host, Leader of the opposition P K Dhumal said that his death was unfortunate and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.
Congress MLA Asha Kumari said that an era has come to an end with the death of the veteran leader and his contribution in promoting the culture of Chamba would always be remembered.
She said that Nayyar was a politician class apart and would always live in the hearts of the people.
Health Minister Kaul Singh said that Nayyar was elected to the Vidhan Sabha twice in 1982 and 1985 and became technical education minister in 1983 and education minister in 1985.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes and Transport minister G S Bali described him as a simple and good human being, while Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma shared childhood memories when he used to live in the neighbourhood of Nayyar and listen to harmonium tunes played by him.
