Environment Minister Dave dies, PM calls him 'devoted public servant'

New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave passed away early on Thursday morning, said reports.

Dave, 60, complained of uneasiness at his home in the morning and was rushed to AIIMS where he passed away, official sources told PTI.

Dave was a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2009.

"Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend and a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. My condolences," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

"Anil Madhav Dave ji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment," Modi said.

"I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss," he added.

Expressing shock over the same, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also extended his condolence.

"Shocked and extremely sad to know the sudden demise of my colleague Sri Anil Madhav Dave, Environment Minister.My heartfelt condolences," Naidu tweeted.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also prayed for peace to the departed soul.

"Deeply shocked & saddened by demise of my colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. May God render peace to the departed soul," Jaitley tweeted.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took to Twitter to express shock at the 'untimely' demise.

"Shocked & saddened by untimely demise of Shri Anil Dave. India has lost a promising leader who had immense concern for our environment," Parrikar tweeted.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in a statement, also condoled the passing away of the minister.

Shocked by his sudden demise, Gandhi said that Dave was soft spoken and gentle human being. "He will be fondly remembered for his humble personality," she added. Gandhi conveyed her condolences to the members of Dave's family, admirers and supporters.

Former Union Minister and Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also condoled the demise of Dave. Describing the BJP leader as a "very nice man," Ramesh in his condolence message remembered the support he had extended to him during his stint as Environment Minister in the previous Congress-led UPA government.

"He supported whatever I did when I was minister," Ramesh said.

The Rajya Sabha MP said Dave, who was an "ideal chairman of the Rajya Sabha select committees," had special interest in river conservation.

"He listened to everybody... (He) did not give offence to his political opponents," Ramesh said.

Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi also expressed grief over the sudden death, saying it was a personal loss for him.

"It is a personal loss for me. I had the fortune to work with him in the Rajya Sabha for many years. He believed that his concerns about environment would become a matter of concern for all," Tyagi told ANI.