PPE Purchase Scam: Complaint Lodged Against IAS Officer Hemant Sharma

Bhubaneswar: Alleging a mega scam in the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), a city-based NGO on Tuesday lodged a complaint against senior IAS officer and secretary, industries, Hemant Sharma at Capital Police Station here.

Speaking to the media, advisor of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhiyan Sudhir Mohanty said apart from Sharma, senior government officers are involved in the mega scam while the health minister feigns ignorance about it.

“The manner in which these officials have embezzled the money of the people, we demand stern action against them,” Mohanty said.

Last week, the government removed Sharma as head of the purchase committee following allegations of irregularities in the procurement of PPE. Health Minister Naba Kishore Das has denied any wrongdoing by the state government, even as the Opposition BJP and Congress have demanded probes into it.