Former Begunia MlA, noted litterateur and agriculturist Satyananda Champatiray passed away at a private hospital here on Sunday. He had been undergoing treatment for old age-related ailments for a few days. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his deep grief over the death of Champatiray. Pradhan said Champtiray was a people’s leader and had also achieved remarkable success in the field of journalism. Champatiray was the editor of Odia newspaper Swabhiman, besides serving as editor of the Utkal Prasang for many years. He was also a member of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi.