New Delhi: Environment minister Anil Madhav Dave died on Thursday morning, depriving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of a key figure as it considers whether to approve the country’s first genetically modified food crop.
Dave, 60, had not been keeping well for the last few months. He complained of uneasiness at his home this morning and was rushed to AIIMS where he passed away, sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “absolutely shocked” and described Mr Dave’s death as a “personal loss”. He wrote, “I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues.”
The prime minister also said Mr Dave would be remembered as a devoted public servant and was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment.
Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan will take additional charge of Environment Ministry.
The two-term lawmaker from the BJP, Mr Dave had a longtime association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was appointed Environment Minister last year.
He was a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh.
He was a member of various committees in parliament and was also in the Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change.
