Govt names 1993-batch IAS officer Poundrik as heavy industries secretary
Poundrik's appointment comes at a time when crucial tasks for the heavy industries ministry would be to ensure smooth continuation of key electric mobility schemes such as the ₹25,938-crore production-linked incentive scheme for automobiles and auto parts and the ₹11,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme.
In a recent cabinet decision, Sandeep Poundrik, a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, taking on additional responsibilities alongside serving as the secretary of the Steel Ministry. This appointment is significant as it means Poundrik will head both ministries at the secretary level.
The heavy industries ministry is tasked with overseeing crucial initiatives such as the ₹25,938-crore Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles and auto parts, the ₹11,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme, and the ₹18,100-crore PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cells. The ministry also manages the operations of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel), a key public enterprise that produces power generation equipment, transportation, railway equipment, defence and aerospace manufacturing, and clean energy products.
The ministry recently launched a ₹7,280-crore incentive package for setting up five rare earth magnet manufacturing plants, a response to a global shortage of rare earth magnets due to Chinese export controls against the United States. Rare earth magnets, vital for sectors such as defence, electronics, renewable energy, and electric vehicles, are primarily sourced from monazite deposits, with India being the world's third-largest producer.
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