Top bureaucrat who managed oxygen supply crisis dies of Covid, PM, ministers condole

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled the passing of top Odisha born bureaucrat Guruprasad Mohapatra who died at AIIMS from Covid related complications.

Mohapatra, a 1986-batch Gujarat cadre officer was Secretary in the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and chaired the Covid empowered group on medical oxygen supplies.

PM led the tributes for the officer who continued to work amid medical oxygen crunch in the second pandemic wave even while he was himself down with Covid complications since April.

“Saddened by the demise of Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, DPIIT Secretary. I had worked with him extensively in Gujarat and at the Centre. He had a great understanding of administrative issues and was known for his innovative zeal. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” PM said.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also expressed deep shock at the untimely death of Guruprasad Mohapatra.

In his condolence message, Gauba said: “Dr. Mohapatra was a dear colleague and an outstanding civil servant with exceptional qualities of strategic thinking and leadership. As the head of one of the Empowered Groups, he worked with utmost dedication in the ongoing fight against Covid-19 pandemic.”

Gauba said even after he had tested positive and was not well, Mohapatra continued to work for long hours, monitoring the supply of oxygen across the country, under very challengingcircumstances.

“He will be remembered for his proactive approach and his commitment to public service. His untimely death is an irreparable loss to all of us. I extend my deepest condolences to the members of his family,” Gauba said.

Ministers Piyush Goyal, Hardeep Puri joined the PM in paying tributes to the deceased officer.

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