Two Independent Directors of Coal India Quit a Day Ahead of AGM

New Delhi: A day ahead of Coal India Ltd's annual shareholder meeting, two independent directors of the company's board have resigned.

Former coal secretaries Alok Perti and C Balakrishnan quit ahead of CIL's annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday where the company was seeking ratification of their appointments for a three-year term.

Mr Perti was appointed on Coal India board on October 31, 2013 and Mr Balakrishnan on December 19 last year. As per the Companies Act, all appointments of directors to a company board have to be ratified by its shareholders.

Coal India had moved a resolution for seeking ratification of their appointment and but with NDA government communicating to the UPA-appointees that their services were no longer required, the two quit.

"Alok Perti and C Balakrishnan who were appointed as non-official part time Directors on the Board of CIL by Ministry of Coal for a period of three years ... have tendered their resignation w.e.f. September 08, 2014 and September 09, 2014 respectively," the coal major said in a filing to the BSE.

Previously, Shri Prakash had quit the board on September 3 even though the company had moved a resolution seeking confirmation of his appointment for three years.

Mr Prakash was appointed on Coal India board on February 6 this year.

"The government has given an indication to all independent directors appointed during UPA regime to resign. The directors did not want to face humiliation and resigned from the post," a source said.

Mr Perti, who held the post of coal secretary from 2011 to 2012, was appointed on the PSU board on October 31, 2013 for a period of three years.

Mr Balakrishnan held the post of secretary, coal from December 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011 prior to Mr Perti and CIL was awarded the coveted 'Maharatna' status during his tenure. He was appointed on the PSU's board for three years with effect from December 19, 2013.

Coal India said, "Consequently Item No. 5 & 6 of Annual General Meeting notice dated July 09, 2014 for their appointment for the balance period as Independent Directors not liable for retirement under rotation will not be taken up for consideration in the AGM to be held on September 10, 2014."