In a significant move, the Modi government on Friday (07.03.2025) made a major shift by appointing Vikas Kaushal, Global Leader for Energy and Process Industries at Kearney, as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a period of five years.
Kaushal’s appointment marks the first-ever lateral entry from the private sector into a top leadership position at a public sector oil and gas company.
The CMD position at HPCL has been vacant since August 1, 2024, following the retirement of Pushp Kumar Joshi. Since then, Director (Finance) Rajneesh Narang has held additional charge of the post. The government attempted to select Joshi’s successor through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) multiple times, starting in March last year. At least nine candidates appeared for selection interviews, but the PESB did not find a suitable candidate, ultimately recommending the search-cum-selection route, leading to Kaushal’s appointment.
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