New Delhi: The Union Government has entrusted Santosh Kumar Sarangi, the current secretary of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with the additional responsibility of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). This appointment follows the abrupt removal of Rameshwar Prasad Gupta from the CMD post on Saturday, a month prior to the completion of his tenure.
A notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training stated that Shri Sarangi will hold the additional charge “till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”
Shri Sarangi, a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Odisha cadre, assumed the role of Secretary, MNRE last month as part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle. Prior to this, he served as the Director General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Department of Personnel and Training had issued a strongly-worded notification on Saturday announcing the “termination of services” of Shri Gupta, an IAS officer, as the CMD of SECI with immediate effect. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved this decision.
The reasons for Shri Gupta’s premature removal have not been officially disclosed. Shri Sarangi’s appointment to this crucial role in the renewable energy sector signifies the government’s swift action to ensure continued leadership and momentum in India’s solar energy initiatives. His experience as the Secretary of MNRE is expected to provide valuable continuity and strategic direction to SECI.