Chandigarh, Sep 3 - The Haryana government has declared a public holiday in the state Friday as a mark of respect to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy who died in a helicopter crash Wednesday.

Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda mourned the death of Reddy.

Pahadia described Reddy as a great social worker. Hooda said Reddy was a 'seasoned parliamentarian, able administrator and a man of masses.'

The Haryana government Thursday declared a two-day (Sep 3 and 4) state mourning, while Punjab ordered closure of government offices and educational institutions as a mark of respect to Reddy.