Partha S Bhattacharyya, Former Chairman, Coal India Ltd
Partha was the former Chairman of Coal India Limited. He is the author of a best-selling book titled- “When Coal turned Gold”. Partha has been featured as one of transformation leaders of corporate India.
Podcast
Overview
Coal is one of the most vital fossil fuels in the world. It is a nonrenewable energy source that generates electricity. India is the second largest producer of coal in the world. The MInistry of Coal under the Government of India looks after the development and exploration of coal reserves in India.
The government also owns some of the largest PSUs like Coal India Limited. Coal India Limited is the largest coal producing company in the world and is a Maharatna PSU.
Today on the Brand Called You we are pleased to welcome a business leader who has worked with this mighty public sector company. He has experienced the evolution of this organisation and the development of the coal industry over the past decades.
We are pleased to welcome Partha S Bhattacharyya on the platform today.
About Partha:
Partha was the former Chairman of Coal India Limited. He is the author of a best-selling book titled- “When Coal turned Gold”. Partha has been featured as one of transformation leaders of corporate India. He has been recognised, felicitated and awarded several times. Partha also sits on the Boards of several companies including the ones listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange.
His journey with Coal India:
After facing a major oil crisis in the early 70s, India was looking for suitable options to bring in money without raising prices.
“I joined the company one and a half years after it was established in 1975. First ten years, I was outside the corporate office. I could only see it from a distance. In 87 i was posted in Coal India headquarters, Fortunately in a very good position. Technical Secretary to the Finance Director, So that gave me a glimpse of the internal workings. And then I joined the whole transformation journey by doing all kinds of analysis. In fact the personal contribution that I made, which makes me feel very happy, is developing a financial model. It was known only to the Chairman, some people in the government and some people in the world!”
Major Contributions:
Partha spent a great deal of time with Coal India Limited and landed the company through the honours of Miniratna, Navratna & finally Maharatna at the fastest pace in PSU history. Under his leadership, the IPO of Coal India skyrocketed to a whopping 2.33 trillion! The largest witnessed in the Indian Capital Market.
Partha also highlights his experiences at BCCL, another coal subsidiary organisation in India. He shares that his role there changed him completely as a person.
“It changed everything in me. Except maybe the DNA! I became a different person.”
Partha shares the story of the company and how he completely turned it around with his experiences.
Present:
On the current status of coal and energy, Partha asserts that coal is an energy source that might deplete soon. Partha also talks about his book and the involvement of President Pranab Mukherjee in the same.
His experiences are vast and his knowledge is incomparable! Partha’s story is incredibly inspiring!
Profile
Retired as Chairman, Coal India Ltd in Feb 2011, joining as MT in 1977 to becoming Chairman in Oct 2006. Steered the company thru Miniratna (2007), Navratna (2008) & finally Maharatna (2011) – the fastest ascendency for any PSU so far. Spearheaded the historic 10% stake sale thru IPO in 2010 – the largest so far in Indian Capital Market fetching Rs.15,200 crores for GOI. Post-retirement, had a brief 15-month stint as MD of Haldia Petrochem till June 12. Served Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corporation as Whole-time Executive Director from Oct 12 till Jan 2016. Currently on the Board of several companies as Non-Executive Director or Independent Director.
