The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of former Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shri B.G Deshmukh. In his condolence message the Prime Minister described Shri Deshmukh as a highly respected bureaucrat known for his honesty and integrity.

The text of the Prime Minister's message is as follows:

"I was grieved to hear of the sad demise of your uncle Shri B.G. Deshmukh. Shri Deshmukh was a highly distinguished public servant who served the country in a number of capacities including Union Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister. Shri Deshmukh was a highly respected bureaucrat who was known for his integrity and honesty. He was known for giving straight forward advice to the governments that he served. In the passing away of Shri Deshmukh, the country has lost one of the outstanding civil servants of his generation and a person who was deeply committed to various social issues right till the end of his eventful life.

Please accept my deep condolences on the sad demise of Shri Deshmukh. May God give you the strength to bear this irreparable loss."