Karnataka Minister of Forest Department Umesh Katti died of a heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 61.

According to reports Minister Katti suffered chest pain at his Dollars Colony residence and collapsed. He was taken to Ramaiah hospital in Bengaluru where he breath his last.

The minister was also in charge of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs departments.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai offered his condolences to the death of the minister and said it is a huge loss for the state.

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.”