Gandhinagar: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Gujarat cadre (1986 batch), Guruprasad Mohapatra passed away today after battling with Covid-19 infection and related complications for over a month at AIIMS in Delhi. He was lastly serving as Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in the Government of India since 24-7-2019. He had also headed the Airport Authority of India. Hailing from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha, a 1962-born officer was 59 years old. Along with other positions, he had also served as Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad. After present Chief Secretary Anil Mukim and Home Secretary Pankaj Kumar, Guruprasad was the senior most IAS officer in Gujarat. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has paid tribute to late IAS officer through a tweet. DeshGujarat

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the demise of DPIIT Secretary, Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “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.”

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2021

ગુજરાત કેડરના IAS અધિકારી શ્રી ગુરુપ્રસાદ મહાપાત્રાના દુઃખદ અવસાનથી શોકમગ્ન છું. ગુજરાત કેડરના સનિષ્ઠ અધિકારી ગુમાવ્યાં છે.

પ્રભુ તેમના દિવ્ય આત્માને સદ્ગતિ અર્પે તેમજ પરિવારને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તિ બક્ષે એ જ પ્રભુ ચરણોમાં પ્રાર્થના.

ૐ શાંતિ…!!

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) June 19, 2021

The demise of Dr. Guru Prasad Mahapatra, Secretary, DPIIT due to Covid is distressing. Guru was one of our finest officers, a remarkable human being, a wonderful colleague who always brought optimism,positivity & dynamism to issues.Will be badly missed. Pray for the departed soul pic.twitter.com/vjeviG113B

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 19, 2021

Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba has expressed deep shock at the untimely death of Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Secretary DPIIT. In his condolence message, Shri 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.

Even after he had tested positive and was not well, he 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.”