Gopi Arora, a close aide of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi died on Thursday. He was 76.
Arora, who wielded enormous power and influence in the 1980s, was from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He was special secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) before becoming
secretary in the information and broadcasting ministry. Arora was also finance secretary in 1989-90, serving the Government of India for over 35 years.
After his retirement he was on the board of several companies and was the director of the Jaypee Group at the time of his death.
He served as an executive director representing India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington from 1990 to 1993.
His cremation will be held Saturday, his family said.