Govt fills up top posts in power utilities, Pullareddy is chairman of CPDCL

Vijayawada: The govt has appointed retired technocrat P Pullareddy as chairman and managing director of Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL). Pullareddy, who served as director (technical and HR) in SPDCL, was in the race for the post of CMD of SPDCL. The govt initially thought of shifting incumbent CMD of SPDCL, S Santosha Rao, to CPDCL and appoint Pullareddy as CMD. However, Santosha Rao's term in SPDCL was extended till further orders, prompting Pullareddy to land in CPDCL. He has over three decades of experience in power utilities. He mostly served in Rayalaseema districts after joining the energy dept. Sources said at least three cabinet ministers backed his appointment to the top post. Special chief secretary (energy) K Vijayanand issued the appointment orders of several directors to prestigious posts in power utilities after getting the green signal from chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. While T V Suryaprakash, a retired CGM, is the director (operations), retired executive director T Vanaja got the post of director (projects) in EPDCL.Former CGM in SPDCL, Kakarla Guravaiah, has been appointed as director (technical), while retired CGM (projects) Ayub Khan got the coveted post of director (projects) in SPDCL. IRAS officer K Sitaramaraju has been appointed director (finance and accounts) at AP Genco, while Vemulapalli Usha, presently joint secretary in Genco, was elevated as director (HR). Chief engineer Sujaya Kumar was also promoted as director of hydel projects in AP Genco. Retired IRTS engineer, B Nagya, has been appointed as director (coal and logistics), with retired chief engineer P Ashok Kumar Reddy getting the post of director (thermal) in AP Genco.Vemulapalli Usha, who assumed charge as director (HR & IR) of AP Genco, said she is committed to creating an employee-friendly atmosphere and ensuring effective grievance redressal. She said her efforts will be focused on enhancing employee skills and implementing strategic measures to drive sustained progress and development of the organization. Usha, a postgraduate in commerce, brings nearly four decades of experience in human resources within APSEB and AP Genco. A pivotal figure in multiple HR initiatives, she notably served on the high-level committee during the bifurcation of employees post the state's reorganization. Director (thermal), P Ashok Kumar Reddy, said the focus will be on improving operational efficiency, modernizing ageing units, ensuring strict environmental compliance, and executing cost-effective capacity additions. Director (hydel), M Sujaya Kumar, who played a key role in resolving the Machkund HES agreement, emphasized on improving hydel power performance metrics and institutional strengthening. Sujaya Kumar played a key role in the bifurcation of employees between AP Genco and TS Genco. He was also instrumental in the establishment and operation of AP Genco data centre at NTTPS stage IV, ensuring robust data infrastructure for the organization. He also played a vital role in accomplishing joint venture agreements with M/s NHPC and M/s OTPC, formed for joint development of pumped storage projects and renewal energy plants. He was instrumental in effectively maintaining the 400MW solar power plants at Tadipatri. Retired CGM Murali Krishna Yadav has been appointed as director (technical), TVSN Murthy as director (projects), and retired banker S Venkateswarlu as director (finance) in APCPDCL. Retired chief engineer J Venkateswara Rao was appointed as director (technical) and finance CGM NV Ramana Murthy was elevated as director (finance) in AP Transco.