New Delhi: Coal India Limited has a new Chairman-cum-Managing Director, with B Sairam assuming charge of the top post from December 15, the company said in a statement.
Sairam succeeds Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, who had been holding interim charge as Chairman since November 1, following the superannuation of P M Prasad on October 31.
Before taking over at the parent company, Sairam was serving as CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited, one of Coal India’s largest coal-producing subsidiaries. His professional career spans more than three and a half decades, during which he has worked across mine operations, planning, logistics and regulatory functions within the coal sector.
Soon after assuming charge, Sairam held an introductory meeting with Coal India’s functional directors and the CMDs of subsidiary companies. The discussions focused on leadership priorities, operational efficiency and meeting coal production targets for the current year, while ensuring compliance with safety and quality norms.
The meeting was attended by Director (HR) Vinay Ranjan, Director (Marketing) Mukesh Choudhary, Director (Finance) Mukesh Agrawal, Director (Technical) Achyut Ghatak, along with the heads of Coal India’s subsidiary companies.
Outlining the company’s priorities, Sairam said that increasing coal output and improving the quality of supplies would remain central to meeting India’s rising energy requirements. He also highlighted Coal India’s efforts to diversify its portfolio in response to changes in the energy sector, including initiatives in solar power, critical mineral acquisition and coal gasification, while maintaining a focus on sustainable mining practices.
An alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Sairam holds a degree in mining engineering and an MBA in Energy Management from NTPC School of Business. Prior to leading Northern Coalfields Limited, he served as Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited.
Coal India Limited is the world’s largest coal producer and operates as a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India.
BI Bureau
