Manoj Kumar Jha Assumes Charge as Interim Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Coal India Ltd

Manoj Kumar Jha, who is also an Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Coal, has officially assumed the role of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) for Coal India Ltd (CIL). This appointment is on an additional charge basis and is expected to last for a period of three months, or until a permanent successor is appointed. Jha steps into this role following the superannuation of the previous CMD, P M Prasad. Jha brings a strong educational background, including degrees from Delhi University and King's College London. The government's headhunter, PESB, had previously recommended B Sairam, the current CMD of Northern Coalfields Ltd, as the potential regular CMD for Coal India. Coal India Limited is a pivotal entity in India's energy landscape, responsible for over 80% of the country's domestic coal production and has set ambitious targets, aiming for 875 million tonnes of coal production by 2025-26 to meet growing energy demands.

Impact The appointment of an interim CMD can signal a period of transition and may lead to shifts in operational focus or strategic decisions, depending on Jha's directives. For investors, this leadership change, though temporary, is noteworthy for a company of CIL's scale and importance to the national economy. Continuity and the eventual appointment of a regular CMD will be key factors for investor confidence and the company's future performance, especially as it pursues significant production and dispatch targets. Rating: 6/10

Difficult Terms: State-owned: A company that is owned and controlled by the government. Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD): A leadership position that combines the roles of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company. Superannuation: The retirement from employment due to reaching a specified age. Additional charge: When an individual takes on responsibilities of another role in addition to their current duties. Incumbent: The person currently holding a particular office or position. Government headhunter PESB: Public Enterprises Selection Board, an organization that recommends candidates for top management posts in public sector undertakings. Domestic coal output: The total amount of coal produced within the country. Dispatch target: The planned amount of goods, in this case, coal, to be sent out from the source. MT: Abbreviation for Million Tonnes.