The state-run oil major has been operating without a full-time chairman and managing director since former chief Shashi Shankar retired on March 31, 2021.
Alka Mittal, human resource director at energy major Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC), has been given the additional charge of chairman and managing director, the company announced on January 3.
With this appointment, Mittal has become the first woman to head ONGC as the Chairman and Managing Director. She will hold the post for a period of six months or till a regular appointment is announced for the post, whichever is earlier.
ONGC has no whole-time chairman and managing director since former chief Shashi Shankar retired on March 31, 2021. Usually, the government selects the future CMD at least a few months before the incumbent’s retirement, but instead, after Shankar’s retirement, the then senior-most director was given additional charge. Subhash Kumar, former Director (Finance) was given additional charge of the post with effect from April 1, 2021. Kumar also retired at the end of December, leaving the top post vacant for a few days.
Given that Mittal is currently the senior-most on the board of directors, it was anticipated that he would be given the post of CMD but the formal order came late on January 3.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board, Head for Public Undertakings, had received 10 applications for the post, but after interviews in May-June 2021, announced that it was unable to find a suitable candidate and recommended a search committee. .
About Alka Mittal
Post Graduate in Economics, MBA (HRM) and Doctorate in Commerce and Business Studies, she joined ONGC in 1985 as a graduate trainee.
Prior to joining as Director (HR), Mittal held the charge of Core Skill Development (CSD) of the company. As CSD in-charge, he streamlined the activities and brought uniformity in the functioning of ONGC’s skill development centres, said a note published about him on the company’s official website.
During this period, he has also implemented the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in ONGC, involving more than 5,000 apprentices across all work centres.
Prior to this, he worked as Head CSR in Corporate Office and initiated major CSR projects across India.
Prior to this, he headed HR-ER functions in various regions including Vadodara, Mumbai, Delhi and Jorhat, and was also the Head of Corporate Communications of ONGC during 2009.