The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Friday elected Chandrajeet Banerjee, popularly known as ?CB? as its new director-general. Banerjee, who takes over from Lt Gen S S Mehta, comes from within the chamber?s rank and is currently working as a deputy director-general. He has had a long stint of almost 20 years in the chamber. In a statement, CII said Banerjee would take charge from May 2008.
The incumbent, Mehta would by then have completed his full tenure of two years in the chamber.
According to industry sources, Banerjee?s elevation to the top slot was not without competition. Sources said that heavyweights like Onkar Goswami, the former chief economist of CII and Vinayak Chatterjee, chairman, Feedback Ventures were also in the fray. However, what seemed to have tilted the balance in favour of Banerjee was that he was an internal candidate, known to all the members of the chamber personally and the fact that he?s young being 45 and can lead the organization?s secretariat for a longer term. ?The 45-year old ?CB? has served CII for 20 years and could potentially lead CII for the next 20 years?, a CII statement said.
This is the third time that CII has appointed a new DG after Tarun Das stepped down from the post in May 2004 having served for several decades. Das continues to be associated with CII as its chief mentor. N Srinivasan had taken over from Das and occupied the post for about one and a half years to pass on the baton to incumbent Mehta.
The CII president Sunil Mittal expressed strong confidence in Banerjee?s ability to lead CII into the future. ?He is young, dynamic, energetic and will lead CII well,? Mittal said.
Commenting on his appointment, Banerjee said, ?I am overwhelmed with the trust of CII in me. These are the best of times in India and, yet, the most challenging. I shall work with the outstanding team in CII to support India?s high growth and inclusive development?.
Banerjee during his long innings at CII has managed several affiliated industry associations, including the Indian Earthmoving Construction Association, the Tractor Manufacturers? Association (TMA). In the course of his career, Banerjee has dealt with all aspects of CII work including policy issues, sectoral work, events organization and internal staff functions.
Banerjee has served CII in various locations as the head of state and regional offices of CII such as Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bangalore. Over the past year, Banerjee has been on deputation as CEO ? designate of Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) of the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers? Association (IMTMA) and director general, Machine Tool Manufacturers? Association (MTMA) Cluster in Bangalore.
