Sunil Gupta & G Suresha have been appointed as Chairman & Vice Chairman of the CII Odisha State Council during the CII Odisha State Annual Day 2025 in Bhubaneswar
OdishaPlus Bureau
Sunil Gupta, CEO of Vedanta Ltd Jharsuguda, has been appointed as the Chairman of the CII Odisha State Council for the 2025-26 term. G Suresha, Executive Director of Odisha Asset at AM/NS India, will serve as the Vice Chairman for the same period. Their appointments were announced during the CII Odisha State Annual Day 2025 event in Bhubaneswar on March 12, 2025.
Gupta oversees the strategic operations of the aluminum division at the company’s facilities in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh, as well as its mining operations. With nearly 30 years of varied experience, he has been instrumental in driving Vedanta Aluminium’s growth and improving operational efficiency, establishing the company as the largest aluminum producer in India.
His priorities include increasing production, securing bauxite and coal resources, leveraging technology for added value, minimizing the carbon footprint to meet Vedanta’s targets of net zero carbon by 2050 and net water positive by 2030, and maintaining high standards in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Gupta’s leadership reflects a strong commitment to these goals.
Suresha G is an experienced leader managing the Odisha Asset at AM/NS India, which is a key center for innovation and efficiency in the steel sector. He has a wealth of experience in overseeing large industrial operations and promotes excellence in essential facilities such as a beneficiation plant, a slurry pipeline, pellet plants, a mechanized ship loading system, and a captive power plant.
Under his guidance, the Odisha Asset fosters a culture of safety, teamwork, and operational excellence in line with AM/NS India’s Vision 2030. His strategic and creative approach helps ensure that the asset is vital to the company’s growth and sustainability initiatives. Suresha G’s dedication to innovation and ongoing improvement is crucial in enhancing AM/NS India’s status as a leader in the global steel market.
During its annual meeting, CII Odisha held a session titled ‘Viksit Odisha@2036: Setting the Agenda for Nation Building.’
In his opening speech, Suvendra Behera, Chairman of the CII Eastern Region Council, emphasized the competitive electricity costs among states, pointing out that Rajasthan offers solar energy at just ₹1.75 per unit. He informed investors about Odisha’s unique 30% subsidy with no cap, a major advantage not found in neighboring states, except for similar programs in the southern region. He also discussed the Odisha government’s plan to provide land with boundary walls for MSMEs, aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and promoting industrial development.
Dr. Pradipta Mohanty, Chairman of the CII Odisha State Council for 2024-25, highlighted the impressive economic growth of Odisha. He noted, “Odisha has been experiencing an average growth rate of 11.5-12% each year, with the latest GSDP estimate at 7.5%. We aim to reach a $1 trillion economy, which will depend on significant input from agriculture, manufacturing, and services.” He also pointed out that Odisha’s agriculture sector has surpassed the national average, showcasing its great potential.
Devendra Thakar, CEO of Dhamra Port, highlighted the significance of multimodal logistics and urged Odisha to create a unique logistics model that could set a standard for others. He emphasized the need for improved cooperation between state and central ministries to strengthen logistics infrastructure.
During the Viksit Odisha@2036 event, he pointed out the importance of establishing an inclusive industrial ecosystem that supports MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and tribal businesses. He also stressed that digitization and skill development are essential for addressing the workforce needs of new industries.
Gupta, Vice Chairman of the CII Odisha State Council for 2024-25, concluded the event by thanking all participants and stakeholders for their valuable contributions.
A major highlight of the event was the CII Industry Carnival Awards, which honored exceptional industries from various sectors for their significant contributions to industrial growth and economic development in Odisha.
After the opening session, a technical discussion took place on the topic ‘Easy Credit Flow and Strong Supply Chain: The Backbone of Industrial Growth.’ Sashi Sekhar Mohanty, MD & CEO of Essar Minmet Ltd, led the session, which included notable panelists such as Bibhu Mishra, Advisor at Hindalco Industries Ltd; Sudhir Jaiswal, President & CEO of Enterprise Systems Solution Pvt Ltd; Swayam Prakash Baral, MD of Swadesh Infra Marketing Pvt Ltd; Nitin Manek, Promoter of N Manek Pvt Ltd; Sasmita Samanta, Founder & Chairperson of Sustainable Outreach and Universal Leadership (SOUL); and Rajesh Kumar, General Manager at Punjab National Bank.
The conversation focused on improving access to credit and strengthening supply chains, which are vital for boosting industrial growth. The experts emphasized the need for adopting technology and working together to speed up financing and ensure efficient supply chain operations.
