Calling for a stronger focus on human capital, Mr Rajesh Pandey, IAS, Chairman & Managing Director, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), said that the Public Sector Enterprises must advance HR excellence alongside organisational growth. Addressing the CII PSE Purva Pragati Summit 2026 in Kolkata, Mr Pandey, outlined that employees need to be equipped to grow alongside their organisations through robust recruitment, training and career mobility opportunities, even as PSEs navigate a rapidly changing business landscape.
Furthermore, he emphasised about the changing nature of work and highlighted the 5 Ps – Performance, Process, Persona, Procurement and Preparedness for the Future, as important areas for PSEs to focus on while strengthening organisational effectiveness and preparing for a changing business environment.
Giving a perspective of the eastern part of India, Mr Mehul Mohanka, Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Managing Director and Group CEO Tega Industries Ltd, noted, “87 per cent of organisations across the country are already using AI. Digital technologies are no longer limited to a few sectors, with applications across industries such as mining and steel offering significant opportunities for predictive maintenance and better decision-making.” He also highlighted that these benefits can only be realised with a workforce equipped with the right skills.
Mr Mohanka further opined that industrial competitiveness must go beyond quality to encompass efficiency, workforce readiness and continued investment in connectivity and R&D, calling for stronger collaboration across government, PSEs and private industry to build future-ready enterprises.
Mr Rupak Barua, Chairman, CII West Bengal State Council and Managing Director & CEO Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital made the gathering aware about the World Economic Outlook Report and pointed out that the estimation that India to grow 6.4 per cent in 2026 and 6.7 per cent in 2027, keeping us the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Talking about the role HR play in producing oneness of the organisation, Mr Anupam Misra, Co-Chairman CII Eastern Region PSE Subcommittee & Chairman & Managing Director Hindustan Copper Ltd outlined that HR excellence began on caring the people. Speaking on digital and regulatory transformation, Mr Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman, CII Eastern Region PSE Subcommittee and Chairman & Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., highlighted how organisations are responding to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and its impact on the evolving workforce. He emphasised the need for businesses to adapt their human-resource strategies to navigate the changing digital landscape effectively.
Notably, a status paper titled “Advancing HR Excellence, Labour Compliance & Industrial Competitiveness in Digital Era” was also unveiled at the Summit. There were sessions emphasising building smart workforce, inclusive workplaces and related labour codes and compliance. The Summit witnessed participation from hundreds of stakeholders, bringing together key representatives from industry and other relevant sectors to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities emerging from the digital transformation of the workplace.
