New Delhi: In a move aimed at strengthening its board structure and aligning with corporate governance norms, RITES Ltd., a leading engineering consultancy and transport infrastructure PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has appointed two Non-Official Independent Directors to its Board—Dr. Dineshananda Goswami and Ms. Purnima Kerketta.
These appointments have been made by the Ministry of Railways and are effective as of July 2025.
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Dr. Dineshananda Goswami Returns to RITES Board
Dr. Dineshananda Goswami, a seasoned academic and social activist, has been appointed for a one-year term effective from July 7, 2025, or until further orders. He holds an M.Com and a Ph.D. from Ranchi University, with academic specialization in Economics, Commerce, Social Science, and Marketing.
Dr. Goswami is not new to RITES; he previously served as an Independent Director from November 2021 to October 2024, during which he contributed to the company’s governance and social responsibility initiatives. His professional background includes a 14-year tenure as a lecturer at Tata Steel’s College (1990–2004), where he played a vital role in education and community development.
Purnima Kerketta Joins as Independent Director
Ms. Purnima Kerketta, a social activist and seasoned co-operative banking professional, has been appointed for a three-year term effective from July 13, 2025, or until further notice. She is a Political Science graduate from Sambalpur University, Odisha and brings over 18 years of experience in the banking sector.
She has held several roles at The Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, Rourkela, Odisha, where she currently serves as Director. Ms. Kerketta is known for her long-standing commitment to community welfare and grassroots empowerment, making her a valuable addition to the RITES board, particularly in matters of stakeholder outreach and social accountability.
Strengthening Governance and Social Impact
With these appointments, RITES Ltd. is expected to benefit from enhanced diversity and expertise on its Board. The inclusion of professionals with backgrounds in education, social service, cooperative banking, and grassroots activism reflects the company’s broader strategy to align infrastructure development with social inclusion and sustainability goals.
These appointments also reinforce the PSU’s efforts to comply with SEBI norms and the Department of Public Enterprises’ guidelines on board composition.
About RITES Limited
Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited, is an Indian public sector undertaking and engineering consultancy corporation, specializing in the field of transport infrastructure. Established in 1974 by the Indian Railways, the company’s initial charter was to provide consultancy services in rail transport management to operators in India and abroad. RITES has since diversified into planning and consulting services for other infrastructure, including airports, ports, highways and urban planning.
