Corporate Governance: Vedanta strengthens Advisory Board by appointing former Secretary, GoI and ex-SAIL Chief

Vedanta, India’s largest diversified natural resources company with a prominent global footprint, has announced two senior level appointments as it readies for the next phase of growth post-Covid, with full commitment to the Prime Minister’s call for an atmanirbhar Bharat. Over 50 percent of India’s imports are in the natural resources sector, the company said.

Jitendra Kumar Dadoo who retired in the rank of Secretary to Government of India in December, 2017 has been appointed as a Senior Advisor. Dadoo, an Economics graduate from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, is a 1983 batch IAS officer. In his long and illustrious career, he served in several key positions, including Chairman, Delhi Civil Supplies Corporation, Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India.

He will work closely with the Corporate Strategy team and Hindustan Zinc’s management committee to drive key business initiatives.

Said Dadoo on his appointment, “Over the years, Vedanta has made very significant contributions to the industry and the nation. I am excited about joining Vedanta at a time when it is focused on building a self-reliant India.” Dadoo joins the eminent Advisory Board at Vedanta which includes Foreign Secretary, Ranjan Mathai, former Economic Affairs Secretary, R. Gopalan and former Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary, Saurabh Chandra on Vedanta’s eminent Advisory Board, the company statement said.

Prakash Kumar Singh, former Chairman and Managing director of Steel Authority of India Limited, has joined Vedanta’s Electrosteel Limited (ESL) as President – Growth Projects. A metallurgical engineer from IIT, Roorkee, Singh will be an integral part of ESL’s management committee and will play a key role in driving marketing, policy and growth.

Said Singh on his appointment, “Vedanta ESL has been a great turnaround story over such a short period of time. The company is in an exciting phase of growth and I look forward to partnering in this journey.”

Commenting on both the appointments, Vedanta CEO Sunil Duggal said, “We are delighted to have Mr Singh and Mr. Dadoo join our illustrious advisory board. We look forward to an enriching engagement with them to leverage their vast experience and expertise.”

Jitendra Kumar Dadoo also joined Hindustan Zinc’s Management Committee.