Bhubaneswar : State-owned aluminium producer National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has announced the appointment of Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal as a Part-time Official Director on its Board, with immediate effect.
The appointment was made through an order dated May 4, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Mines, in accordance with the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations 2015.
Board Transition
Dr. Dermal succeeds Sanjay Lohiya, who previously served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and held the position of Government Nominee Director on NALCO’s board.
The company confirmed that the appointment takes effect immediately and is part of its ongoing compliance with regulatory disclosure norms.
Extensive Administrative Experience
Dr. Dermal is a 1998-batch officer of the Indian Postal Service (IPoS) and currently serves as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Mines. She brings over 27 years of experience across public administration, policy formulation, and technology-led governance.
Her previous roles include serving as Chief Postmaster General of the Telangana Circle and as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, where she contributed significantly to mineral policy development and strategic planning in the mining sector.
Strong Academic and Policy Background
Dr. Dermal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a Master’s degree in Horticulture from Kerala Agricultural University, along with a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. She also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
During her tenure at the Ministry of Mines, she played a key role in legislative and policy reforms, including amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act. She also served as the administering authority for offshore mining and chaired a key committee that identified India’s critical and strategic minerals.
Governance and Compliance
NALCO clarified that Dr. Dermal has no familial or professional relationship with any of the company’s directors or key managerial personnel. The company also confirmed that she is not debarred from holding the office of director by any regulatory authority.
The Board continues to be led by Chairman-cum-Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh, along with other functional and nominee directors.
Strategic Significance
The appointment is expected to further strengthen governance, policy alignment, and strategic oversight at NALCO, particularly in areas related to mineral resource management and critical minerals—key priorities for India’s industrial and energy transition.
