Senior Odisha officer on COVID duty dies

Berhampur: Senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Karunakara Raika passed away while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur today.

After being critical few days back Raika was admitted to a hospital in Gajapati district. When his health condition deteriorated yesterday, he was shifted to MKCG hospital.

He was working as the Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) of Gajapati district. Recently, he was given charge of a COVID hospital in Gajapati district.

Born to a scheduled tribe family in Atara Singh village under Nuagada block of Gajapati district, Raika became an OAS officer due to his dedication and hard work.

He also worked as Additional Tahsildar at Paralakhemundi, PA ITDA at Gunupur and BDO in different blocks of Gajapati district.

Gajapati District Collector Anupam Saha informed samples of the OAS officer were sent for tests as per the protocol. The test results are yet to be received, he added.