SpiceJet seeks govt nod for rejigging board

SpiceJet’s founder and new promoter Ajay Singh has begun the process of rejigging the airline’s board.

SpiceJet’s founder and new promoter Ajay Singh has begun the process of rejigging the airline’s board.

The budget carrier has sought government’s approval to appoint Tejpreet S Chopra, former president and CEO of General Electric in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; Harsha Vardhana Singh, adjunct professor, Columbia University; and Shivani, Ajay Singh’s wife, to the airline’s board.

As first reported by Hindustan Times, SpiceJet had earlier sought the aviation ministry’s approval for appointment of Ajay Singh to the low-cost carrier’s board.

Singh, who has bought out Kalanithi Maran’s majority stake in SpiceJet, has pumped in over `500 crore into the airline, and has also cleared most of its pending dues.

“SpiceJet is progressing firmly on the road to recovery. The airline’s operations and finances have stabilised, and in Singh, the airline has found a promoter who loves aviation,” said aviation expert Rajji Rai.

Sources said Chopra is the founder, president and CEO of Bharat Light and Power, a company which focusses on developing, owning and operating clean-power plants.

Harsha Vardhana Singh previously served as deputy girector general of the World Trade Organisation, and also as economic adviser and secretary to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. He is also an adjunct professor of International Business at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Boston.