Pune: Former Maharashtra minister Shankarrao Kolhe died in Nashik Wednesday due to old age- related ailments, family sources said.
He was 93. Kolhe served as the minister for agriculture, co-operative, revenue and transport between 1989 and 1993.
He was the founder of a cooperative sugar factory and the Sanjivani Group. Kolhe also served on various key committees of the state government in his career.
He was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Vasantdada Sugar Institute in 2017 for his contribution to the cooperative sector.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar condoled Kolhe’s death.
In a tweet, Pawar said Kolhe made a huge effort in the sugar sector by travelling around the world on the subject. His inner zeal and strong will for rural development are the traits to be embraced by newcomers in the social sector.
महाराष्ट्राच्या राजकीय, सामाजिक व शैक्षणिक क्षेत्रात मोलाची कामगिरी करणार्या शंकरराव कोल्हे यांच्या निधनाने सहकार क्षेत्रातील एक दीपस्तंभ हरपला आहे.#शंकररावकोल्हे
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) March 16, 2022