Pandey, who is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department of the West Bengal government, will lead the public sector undertaking for a five-year term or until he reaches the age of superannuation, whichever occurs earlier.

His transition to the helm of Damodar Valley Corporation is highly significant given the organization’s critical role in managing power generation and infrastructure across Jharkhand and West Bengal. This leadership transition follows the retirement of the previous permanent DVC Chairman, S. Suresh Kumar, on May 31. Following his exit, NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh had assumed additional charge of the top post for a two-month interim period, which is scheduled to conclude on July 31, paving the way for Pandey to take over his new responsibilities shortly.

Shri Sairam, who is currently serving as CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), will assume charge as CMD of Coal India Limited. His tenure will extend up to 31 March 2028.

Before his appointment as CMD of NCL, he served as Director (Technical) at the Ranchi-based Central Coalfields, where he played a pivotal role in developing coal logistics, First Mile Connectivity projects, Forest & Environment Clearances, and the projectising of greenfield and brownfield mines.

“Sairam has been instrumental in community development initiatives during his stint as Executive Director at CIL. In NCL, his leadership and technical acumen led to projectisation, structuring of project financing, and developing a compensation and R&R framework for shifting of urban township- considered as the largest mining rehabilitation & resettlement programme- for Jayant expansion project,” CIL added.

The decision has been conveyed by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) through the Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Government of India. Copies of the order have been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, and other concerned authorities for information and necessary action.

The appointment is expected to provide leadership continuity at Coal India Limited, the country’s largest coal producer and a key contributor to India’s energy security.

Shri Atul Ubale, who currently serves as the Director (B&T) at SCI, will continue to manage the responsibilities of Director (Finance) in an additional capacity for the duration of this extension, ensuring that the organization’s financial operations remain effective and in line with the company’s objectives.