Mr. S. Narsing Rao took over as Chairman, Coal India Limited, the largest coal producing company in the world, on and from 24 April 2012. Prior to the top post in the state owned Maharatnacoal mining monolith, Mr. Rao an IAS officer of 1986 batch from Andhra Pradesh Cadre, was Chairman of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the AP based coal mining company since September 2006. He succeeds Ms. Zohra Chatterji, IAS, Additional Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Coal, who held the additional charge as CMD, CIL since 1 February 2012.

Mr. Rao soon after assuming the charge stated, "The immediate priority is to augment coal production and step up the coal supplies".

Mr. Narsing Rao as CMD of SCCL, a joint venture between Government of AP and Central Government, took the company up from a production of 36 Million Tonnes in 2006 to 53 MTs in 2011-12. Mr. Rao had taken SCCL) to a higher growth trajectory of 9%-10% from that of 2% to 3%. During his tenure at the helm of SCCL the company experience the first ever strike free year (2007-08). Singareni has witnessed substantial productivity gains during his tenure.

A post-graduate in Chemistry and Economics he also holds a post-graduate higher diploma in forestry. Before joining the IAS, he had undergone training in Forestry and Rural Development sectors. After joining the IAS, he had held various positions in the Government of Andhra Pradesh, both at the District Administration level and State Administration. Mr. Rao has wide international exposure and his expertise includes consultant to the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Rome, Italy and Chief Technical Adviser, United Nations Office of Project Services, Asia & Pacific regions, Asia & Pacific region. He has extensive international experience in poverty alleviation and rural development in South and South East Asia. He rendered technical advise to the Governments of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Myanmar. He lived and functioned out of Rome (Italy), Yangon (Myanmar) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Bangkok (Thailand).

His areas of interests include rural development, poverty alleviation, environment and ecology. He passionately worked for reforms in administration to make it responsive to the needs and aspirations of the communities.
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