K C Pant passes away

Pant, who later became the Chairman of Tenth Finance Commission, was also elected to Rajya Sabha in 1978 and was Leader of the House during 1979-1980.

PM, Defence Minister express grief over Pant's demise

(PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and other leaders today expressed grief over the demise of former Union Minister K C Pant, recalling his service to country during a long political career.

In a condolence letter to Pant's wife Ila, the Prime Minister said the country has lost an eminent public figure and an able administrator.

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of your husband Shri K C Pant. Shri Pant served our country and people with great distinction in his long political career," Singh wrote in the letter.

Expressing his "deepest condolences" to the family, Singh said, "He (Pant) distinguished himself as a Member of Parliament and as a Minister in the Union Council of Ministers holding important portfolios like Home, Defence and Finance."

"On this sad occasion, I convey my deepest condolences to you and other members of the family. I pray for the departed soul," Singh added.

Defence Minister A K Antony in his message expressed "profound grief" at the sad passing away of Pant, who was the Defence Minister from 1987 to 1989.

Stating that Pant's contribution will be fondly remembered, he said, "Pant steered the Ministry at one of the most critical junctures of history as the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) was deployed in Sri Lanka as

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