BENGALURU: Ajai Seth, Additional Secretary of Health and Family Department, will take over as the full-time Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) from Tuesday. Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Mahendra Jain has held additional charge of the post since December 10, 2017, after then-incumbent Pradeep Singh Kharola took charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Air India.
An official communication on Monday said Seth had been posted in the existing vacancy at BMRCL and will also hold a charge as Additional Secretary of Health and Family Department. It also said the post of BMRCL Managing Director has now been declared equivalent to that of Additional Chief Secretary of the Government.
A mechanical engineering graduate of the 1987 batch, Seth has extensive experience in the financial sector, having worked in the past as Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Department and Principal Secretary in the Finance Department. He has also worked as the Principal Secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education Department.
Seth takes charge at a crucial juncture when there is a constant threat of an indefinite strike looming large. The High Court has intervened and has put it on hold temporarily with another hearing on the issue scheduled this week.
Jain is credited with ensuring an uninterrupted run of Metro services for the public despite repeated strike threats by the Union. He also ensured strong support from the Centre and the State by taking steps to bring BMRCL under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, thereby legally averting future strikes.