Centre declines extension for Soma Mondal as PESB Member; successor to be announced soon

New Delhi: The Centre has declined a proposal to extend the tenure of former Steel Authority of India Limited Chairperson Soma Mondal as a Member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), two people aware of the development said. Mondal’s tenure ended on April 30.

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PESB acts as the government’s head-hunting body for senior management positions in central public sector enterprises, including CMDs and directors.

Decision and next steps

According to the sources, the government had considered extending Mondal’s tenure at PESB but decided against it. A successor has already been identified and an announcement is expected shortly.

Appointments to PESB are cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which takes the final call on senior public sector appointments.

Context behind the decision

People familiar with the matter said the decision was influenced by the appearance of Mondal’s name in a complaint related to alleged irregularities involving Avon Steel that was forwarded to the Lokpal.

They added that the complaint had also figured in developments leading to the resignation of former SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash last month.

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Career and background

Mondal was the first woman to head SAIL, a Maharatna steel producer, and retired from the post on April 30, 2023. She was appointed as a Member of PESB in February 2023, shortly before her superannuation, and succeeded Rear Admiral (Retd) Shekhar Mital.

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