New Delhi: Vejendla Srinivasa Chakravarthy, Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has officially retired from service following his superannuation on June 30, 2025. His departure also marks the conclusion of his tenure on the company’s Board of Directors.
In the interim, Mr. Ashok Kumar Panda has been entrusted with the additional charge of Director (Commercial), ensuring smooth continuity in the commercial operations of the steel PSU.
A Veteran Career in Steel Sector
Chakravarthy began his career with SAIL in 1987 in the Central Marketing Organization (CMO), the company’s primary body for managing steel marketing and distribution across India. A chemical engineer by qualification, he earned his degree from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology under Nagpur University.
He took over as Director (Commercial) on December 24, 2021, bringing over three decades of institutional experience in pricing, distribution, product planning, and market development.
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Commercial Leadership During Key Growth Phase
During his tenure, Chakravarthy played a key role in steering SAIL’s marketing and commercial strategy through a dynamic and competitive phase in the Indian steel sector. He contributed to optimizing supply chains, expanding domestic market presence, and strengthening price realization mechanisms, particularly during a time of volatile raw material costs and shifting global demand.
Leadership Transition and Interim Appointment
With his retirement, Ashok Kumar Panda, a senior executive within SAIL, has been given additional charge of Director (Commercial). This temporary arrangement is a standard move to avoid disruption in high-level decision-making while the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) initiates the formal selection process for a permanent replacement.
Institutional Continuity at a Crucial Time
The leadership change comes as SAIL continues its strategic push toward modernization, capacity expansion, and sustainability goals. The role of Director (Commercial) remains vital to these plans, as it directly oversees the interface between production and market demand, pricing, export strategies, and customer engagement.
The swift appointment of an interim head suggests SAIL’s commitment to uninterrupted commercial operations amid ongoing projects and quarterly targets.
About SAIL
SAIL, or Steel Authority of India Ltd, is an Indian public sector steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in New Delhi. It’s one of India’s largest steel manufacturers and a “Maharatna” (a top-tier Public Sector Enterprise). SAIL manages several integrated and special steel plants across India, including those in Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, and Burnpur. It is the largest government-owned steel producer in India, with an annual production capacity of 18.29 million metric tons.
