Bhubaneswar, June 5 -- Bhubaneswar: Amid raging controversy over alleged lapses in procurement of Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks & testing kits, the Odisha government on Friday removed IAS officer, Hemant Sharma from the State Covid-19 purchase committee.

Sharma, who is currently serving as Principal Secretary of the Industries Department with additional charge as principal secretary of MSME department, was entrusted additional responsibility of COVID19 management that included supervision of procurement of all essential pharmaceutical goods, PPEs, masks as well as critical care equipment in the State.

'Sharma has been rescinded from the duty,' stated an official notification issued by the General Administration and...