Coal news and updates

SCCL not in hurry, new CMD to be from Telengana

November 20: As the current incumbent, Sutirtha Bhattacharya, is set to be the new chairman and managing director of Coal India Ltd (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will look to the Telengana government to nominate Bhattacharya’s successor to the coveted post.

“It is too early to speak on this. It (the selection of Bhattacharya) is only a recommendation till now. The final order will not come before three weeks. However, if the position of CMD, SCCL, lies vacant, we will have to approach the Telengana government,” an informed source told ICMW.

“Accordingly, the state government will send an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) on transfer posting to fill in the gap,” the source said.

Unlike the case of CIL, the selection of SCCL’s chairman is not routed through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).

“Although SCCL is a joint venture between the central and state governments, the CMD is always nominated by the latter. Earlier, the company was under Andhra Pradesh government. Now, after the formation of Telengana, the new CMD will be from Telengana,” the source said.

“So, there will also be no advertisement seeking candidature from outside aspirants,” he added.

Bhattacharya, a 1985 batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS and the CMD of SCCL since May 10, 2012, was recommended for the post of CIL’s CMD by PESB after interviewing a total of 12 candidates on November 18.