Narendra Kothari to be NMDC's new CMD

Kothari is likely to assume charge from the beginning of the next year: Beni Prasad

Narendra Kothari, currently CEO of SAIL's Burnpur plant, will take over as the new Chairman and Managing Director of state-run iron ore producer NMDC, which is running without a full-time head for the last two years.

"We have chosen Kothari as the next regular CMD of NMDC," Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma told PTI today.

Asked if the decision was final, Verma said," Yes, it is." Kothari is likely to assume charge from the beginning of the next year.

NMDC, country's largest iron ore miner, is without a full-time chairman after the retirement of its earlier regular head Rana Som on December 31, 2011.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had in July 2011 suggested the name of M S Rana, CMD, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, for the post.

Incumbent Som retired from NMDC on December 31, 2011, after attaining the age of superannuation.

But, the Steel Ministry was not in concurrence with the PESB's recommendation and instead gave company's Technical Director N K Nanda the additional charge.

Following some issues that cropped up, SAIL Chief C S Verma was given the additional task and he is still continuing at the helm of affairs of the country's top iron ore producer.

Later, an appointed panel, headed by Planning Commission Member Arun Maira, recommended two candidates for the top job -- Narendra Kothari and T K Lahiry, CMD of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd in May.