PSEB recommends Prasad to head India’s largest coal miner – Coal India

Polavarapu Mallikharjuna Prasad, the current Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Central Coalfields (CCL), has been recommended by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PSEB) as the next Chairman and Managing Director of Coal India (CIL). Prasad, who holds a mining engineering degree from Osmania University and has over three decades of experience in the mining sector, will take charge of India’s largest coal miner from July 1, replacing Pramod Agrawal whose term ends on June 30, 2023.

During his tenure as CCL CMD, Prasad played a crucial role in unlocking a coal reserve of 26 million tonnes by diverting a Nallah at Hingula opencast area in FY15. He also oversaw the construction of a new railway siding at Talcher Coalfields. Prior to his appointment at CCL, Prasad served as the CMD of Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL), another subsidiary of CIL, from August 2019.

The recommendation of Prasad by PSEB is a significant development in the mining sector. CIL has faced several challenges in recent years, including labour strikes, legal issues, and declining demand for coal due to the shift towards renewable energy sources. With Prasad’s extensive experience in the sector, it is hoped that he will guide CIL through these challenges and help it maintain its position as a major player in India’s energy sector.