Guwahati: Karnataka Minister of Forest Department Umesh Katti breathed his last at the age of 61 on Tuesday from a heart attack.
According to reports, Minister Katti experienced chest problems and took his last breath at his home in Dollars Colony. He passed away in Bengaluru’s Ramaiah Hospital after he was later taken there.
The minister was also in charge of the departments of consumer affairs, civil supplies, and food.
The death of the minister was expressed as a great loss for the state by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who also expressed his sympathies.
CM Bommai said, “I have lost a very close friend of mine. He was a brother to me. He had some heart issues, but we never thought he will pass away so soon. He has done a lot of work for the state. He handled several portfolios efficiently. It is a huge loss for the state. He has left a huge vacuum which is very difficult to fill up.”
“His (Umesh Katti) body will be shifted by air ambulance. All procedures will be done after public viewing till 2 pm at Sankeshwara. The last rites will be performed with state honours at Bagewadi Belagavi. A holiday has been announced in schools and colleges today in Belagavi,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking to twitter condoled the minister’s death, “Shri Umesh Katti Ji was an experienced leader who made rich contributions to Karnataka’s development. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”