Guwahati, June 26 (IANS) : Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur passed away Thursday following heart failure at a hospital in New Delhi, officials said.

An Assam government spokesperson said Mathur, 83, breathed his last at 8.10 p.m. at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi following respiratory failure.

"The governor complained of respiratory trouble in the evening and was shifted to the Fortis Hospital although he passed away soon after," a government spokesperson said.

Mathur was taken ill earlier this month and was shifted to Escorts Hospital in New Delhi June 18.

"He was released from Escorts Thursday morning and was staying at his residence in New Delhi when suddenly he complained of chest pain and was shifted to Fortis Hospital," the official said.

Mathur leaves behind his wife, two daughters and a son.

He took charge as Assam governor in July last year although his year-long tenure was marked by several bouts of illness.

Two-time former chief minister of Rajasthan, Mathur's death has been widely mourned with a state holiday declared Friday as a mark of respect.