Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), handed away on Saturday morning from issues associated to COVID-19. He was 59 years outdated.
A 1986-batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, he was appointed to DPIIT in August 2019. He was admitted to Delhi’s AIIMS in mid-April and is the primary serving Secretary to the Government of India to succumb to the illness. PTI report
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and different senior ministers condoled the loss of life of Mohapatra.
“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,” the Prime Minister mentioned in a tweet.
Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, Dr Mohapatra was a “very capable and hardworking officer”.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted, “His long standing service and dedication to the nation has left a lasting impression.”
Describing him as an “excellent” bureaucrat, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba mentioned Mohapatra’s premature demise is “an irreparable loss to all of us”. Gauba mentioned in a DD News broadcast that as the pinnacle of one of many Centre’s empowered teams to cope with numerous facets of the pandemic, he labored tirelessly even when he was unwell.
“With Covid-19 himself, he continued to work long hours to augment the supply of oxygen and ensure transportation to different parts of the country. His contribution was enormous in value,” Gauba mentioned.
Prior to becoming a member of DPIIT, Dr Mohapatra served because the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). He was earlier deputed as Joint Secretary within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
In Gujarat, he held a number of roles together with that of Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
A “passionate” administrator, Mohapatra’s “innovative ideas and proactive initiatives” set new fashions for the Indian financial system, mentioned Chandrajit Banerjee, director basic of the Confederation of Indian Industry.
“He helped guide many industry and investment related policies and engage with investors to resolve issues,” Banerjee mentioned, including that his deal with manufacturing sectors, FDI and ease of doing enterprise as DPIIT secretary The contribution will “continue to have a positive impact on the industry.” “
“Dr Mohapatra was known for his administrative acumen and we will always remember his innovative ways of working. Having worked extensively with him on many issues, we will always cherish and remember his guidance,” mentioned Uday Shankar, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“Personally, understanding Dr. Mohapatra and having been with him as fellow college students for greater than 4 many years since college days, I’ve misplaced a really shut buddy of mine. I’ve at all times thought-about him to be one of many best human beings with a golden coronary heart. Will keep in mind as a kind of.”
Minister of Steel, Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted, “India has lost an able administrator in the untimely demise of Dr Guru Prasad Mohapatra.” “A pioneer, he has made unparalleled contributions in improving the urban development landscape in Gujarat, leading several public enterprises and also leading the commerce and aviation sectors,” he mentioned.
.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
