New Delhi:
Government today has appointed two members at the insurance regulator IRDAI,
Kutumbe Pravin Hari, 58,executive director, Life Insurance Corporation(LIC) has appointed as member (Finance & Investment) while Sujay Banarji,60. former director, Oriental Insurance Company has been appointed as member (distribution). Banarji retired from the post of director at Oriental Insurance Company in January-end.
“The appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointments of Kutumbe and Banarji as wholetime members of IRDAI with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, for a period of three years, ot till age of 62 years or untill further orders,whichver is the earliest,’ said the order issued by the Ministry of Finance(MoF).
The post of member (finance & investment) was lying vacant since VR Iyer retired in May, 2017 . The post of member (distribution) is lying vacant at IRDAI since DD Singh retired in October, 2016.
Once he assumes the office, Kutumbe will be serving as member (finance & investment) for three years, whereas Banarji’s tenure at IRDAI will be for two years only.Banarji earlier was also selected as Insurance Ombudsman, Hydearabad and it would worth watching which post he will finally accept. .
The powerful Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee(FSRAC) headed by cabinet secretary, PK Sinha had interviewed 20 candidates for botjhe the posts in Nov, 2017.
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At present, there are three members at IRDAI including Purnima Gupte (actuary), PJ Joseph (non-life) and Nilesh Sathe (life).
TS Vijayan, the present chairman at IRDAI will be demitting his office on February 20 and the government may appoint one of the serving members as officiating chairman by February 19.
It is reported that Purnima Gupte, who is the senior most among the three members, may be asked to take over as officiating chairman at IRDAI until a new person is appointed by the government.
Meanwhile 10 candidates have been shortlisted by the government for the post of IRDAI chairman. However, the interview for the post was yet to take place.