Dr. Alka Mittal joined state-owned ONGC as a graduate trainee in 1985. Being the first woman to head ONGC as Chairperson & MD, Dr. Alka Mittal welcomed the New Year’s with a bang.
Who is Alka Mittal?
Dr. Alka Mittal is a Doctorate holder in Commerce and Business Studies and is a postgraduate in Economics, MBA (HRM). She performed the duty of Chief Skill Development (CSD) of the company and later joined as the Director of Human Resources.
Dr. Alka Mittal was also the first woman to be appointed to the company’s board on November 27, 2018. Alka Mittal – the first woman to head ONGC as Chairperson & managing director (CMD), holds various accomplishments. Dr. Alka Mittal has the Silver Stevie Award in Woman of the Year category.
She has worked as Head CSR at Corporate Office and led significant CSR projects across India. She has made tremendous contributions across various professional platforms.
Why was Dr. Alka Mittal selected as the First Woman to Head ONGC as Chairperson & MD?
The company’s Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) announced that “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for entrustment of the additional charge of the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), ONGC to Alka Mittal, Director (HR), ONGC for a period of six months with effect from January 1, 2022, or till the appointment of a regular incumbent to the post, or until further order, whichever is the earliest.”
After former chief Shashi Shanker retired on March 31, 2021, ONGC has functioned without a full-time managing director and chairman.
While the government appointed a future CMD for ONGC, there were no suitable candidates since the appointment and retirement of senior-most director Subhash Kumar.
Dr. Alka Mittal’s formal orders came on January 3, 2022, given that she is the senior-most member on the board of directors.
What does the future hold for Dr. Alka Mittal, the first woman to head ONGC as Chairperson & MD?
She is the first woman who will lead ONGC as interim Chairperson & MD, will serve for six months or until the appointment of a regular official.
Since she is the first woman to head ONGC as Chairperson & MD, there is time for a permanent appointment until the next six months.
After various interviews, the PESB said, “Keeping in view the strategic importance and vision for the company and its future, the Board did not recommend any candidate and decided to constitute a Search Committee.”
The Search Committee will have to seek through applications a two-month-long process. Once the anti-corruption bodies like CVC and CBI give clearance, the ACC will move forward to take a call on the appointment.
This process itself could last at least three to four months.
In Conclusion,
Dr. Alka Mittal has set the bar high and become a source of motivation for women worldwide. Being the first woman to head ONGC as Chairperson & MD is a historical moment that has set the path for future generations.
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