Pramod Agrawal Appointed as Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of Coal India Limited

On February 1, 2020, Shri Pramod Agrawal, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, took over the role of Chairman-Cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL). This appointment came after the retirement of Mr. Anil Kumar Jha on January 31, 2020.

Background of Anil Kumar Jha

Mr. Anil Kumar Jha, a Post-Graduate M. Tech Mining Engineer with distinction from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad (now IIT), held the position of CMD of Coal India Limited from May 18, 2018. His educational background and engineering expertise were instrumental in guiding CIL during his tenure.

Key Details of Pramod Agrawal's Appointment

Shri Pramod Agrawal's appointment as CMD of CIL was well-received in the industry and the government. He has an extensive background in public administration and holds a degree in engineering. He has served in various capacities including as Principal Secretary, further cementing his eligibility for the position.

Appointment Process

The selection process for the CMD position of CIL involved a competitive interview with 5 candidates, including:

P S Mishra, CMD of ECL and Technical Director of CIL Atul Bhatt, CMD of Mecon Pramod Agrawal, a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh Cadre Mr. Jyoti Kalash, IAS1990/NL, Additional Chief Secretary

The appointment of Pramod Agrawal is pending confirmation by the Cabinet Committee on Appointment. If the approval is granted, it will mark a significant shift in the management of CIL, with 3 out of the last 4 CMDs (excluding ad-hoc CMDs) being IAS officers.

Coal India Limited is the world's largest coal producer, and Shri Agrawal's appointment is expected to bring significant changes to the company's strategic direction and operational efficiency.