October 08, 2001

ARJUN CHARAN SETHI CONDOLES THE DEATH OF PRATAP KESHARI DEO

    The Union Minister for Water Resources , Shri Arjun Charan Sethi condoled the demise of Shri Pratap Kesari Deo, the former ruler of Kalahandi and Member of Parliament. Shri Sethi recalled the contribution of Shri Deo for the reorganisation of princely States, particularly, annexation of Kalahandi with the Union of India. He was instrumental in establishing a popular Government in the erstwhile Kalahandi state based on decentralisation of power. In the post-independent era, his contribution to Kalahandi had acquired larger significance in the context of Orissa. He took significant steps in launching of the Indravati Hydel Project and took a number of other pioneering steps. He was an outstanding Member of Orissa Legislative Assembly and subsequently of the Lok Sabha. In his death Orissa has lost a great son whose contribution to the state will always remembered, Shri Sethi added.