Krishna Kumar Singh to Hold Interim CMD Charge at SAIL as Final Appointment Awaits ACC Approval

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has moved to ensure leadership continuity by assigning Krishna Kumar Singh, Director (Personnel), additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) on an interim basis. The temporary arrangement comes as the appointment process for a full-time CMD continues, with the final approval pending before the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Earlier, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) recommended Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Director (Finance) at SAIL, for the top post after interviewing several shortlisted candidates. Panda is a seasoned finance professional with more than three decades of experience in accounting, costing, budgeting, treasury operations, taxation, and strategic management. He has been associated with SAIL since joining as a management trainee in 1992 and has played an important role in financial discipline and operational reforms.
The interim charge ensures that SAIL, one of India’s largest steel producers, maintains operational stability until the ACC gives its final clearance on the CMD appointment. The development is being closely watched because SAIL’s leadership transition comes at a time when the company is focused on efficiency, cost optimisation, and long-term growth.