New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has opted not to recommend any candidate for the post of Managing Director, Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (BCPL), a Schedule ‘C’ public sector enterprise. The decision was taken during PESB Meeting No. 115/2025, held on Thursday, leaving the key leadership post vacant for the time being.
Nine Candidates Appeared for the Final Interview
A total of nine candidates from various prominent public sector undertakings appeared before the Board for the selection interview. The applicants represented organizations across the energy, steel, mining, manufacturing, and chemical sectors—including Indian Oil Corporation, Andrew Yule & Co., SAIL, NALCO, RINL, NTPC, MRPL, MSTC, and SECL.
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List of Candidates Interviewed
- Sunil Kumar Nagdawne – General Manager (Aviation), Western Region, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
- G. R. Pugalendhi – Executive Director, Electrical & Engineering Division, Andrew Yule & Company Ltd
- Anil Kumar Singh – General Manager (Commercial), Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)
- Goutam Das – General Manager, Project & Technical Department, National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO)
- Chhatrashal Singh Rathore – Deputy General Manager (Design & Engineering), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL)
- Prem Prakash Keshari – Deputy General Manager (Finance), NTPC Ltd
- Ravi Kumar Srivastava – Chief Manager, Impex & Shipping, Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL)
- Rabindra Kumar Singh – Chief Manager (Corporate Planning/Corporate Communication), MSTC Ltd
- Jaideep Dutta – Chief Manager & Staff Officer, Project & Planning, Hasdeo Area, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd
PESB Concludes No Candidate Suitable for the Role
Despite a wide talent pool and detailed interviews, the PESB concluded that none of the candidates met the suitability criteria for the position of Managing Director. The Board’s official minutes stated that no applicant was found fit to lead BCPL at this stage.
Next Steps: Ministry May Form a Search-cum-Selection Committee
Following the outcome, the PESB has advised the Administrative Ministry to explore alternative options to fill the vacancy. These include forming a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), subject to approval from the competent authority.
This route is often invoked when no candidate meets the required leadership, managerial, or technical benchmarks for high-level PSU roles.
The decision means that the crucial leadership post at BCPL remains open, and the Ministry’s next move will determine how soon the company gets a new Managing Director.
About BCPL
Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (BCPL) is India’s first pharmaceutical company and a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Established in 1901, BCPL manufactures a wide range of pharmaceuticals, home products, industrial chemicals, and cosmetics. With manufacturing units across Kolkata, Panihati, Mumbai, and Kanpur, the company continues to play a significant role in the country’s public-sector pharmaceutical production and healthcare supply chain.
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