Halder Venture Limited appoints Kumar Shankar Datta and Pritha Sarkar as Independent Directors

Halder Venture Limited, a leading company in the Indian parboiled rice and edible oil sector, has appointed Kumar Shankar Datta and Pritha Sarkar as Independent Directors on its board. The onboarding of the Independent Directors underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening board oversight, regulatory compliance, and financial discipline.Mr Datta, a Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant, brings over 45 years of experience in corporate finance, governance, and ERP-led business transformation across marquee organisations such as ITC Ltd, PwC India, KPMG, and Haldia Petrochemicals. He currently serves as Executive Director at Aingenious Consultants and holds board roles at Senco Gold Ltd and Shristi Infrastructure. He will chair the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and serve on the Audit, CSR, and Stakeholders Relationship Committees.Commenting on his appointment, Kumar Shankar Datta said, “Halder Venture Limited, with its century-long legacy, now stands at a pivotal moment of transformation driven by bold plans for geographical expansion, product portfolio balancing, and modernisation across its value chain. I am honoured to join the Board as an Independent Director and look forward to contributing meaningfully to the company’s growth trajectory through strategic inputs in revenue segmentation, optimisation & profitability, internal financial controls and risk management. With a visionary leadership team at the helm, I am confident that Halder Venture Limited is poised to scale new heights responsibly, sustainably, and with enduring value creation.”Ms Sarkar, also a Chartered Accountant and a Registered Valuer, has over three decades of experience in statutory audits, internal controls, and compliance advisory. A former Director in PwC’s Assurance practice, she now leads P. Sarkar & Associates and is a partner at Amit Patni & Associates. She will chair the Audit and Stakeholders Relationship Committees and be part of the Nomination and CSR Committees.“Halder Venture Limited is at a significant stage of its growth journey. I look forward to working closely with the team and contributing to its efforts in building strong governance, transparency, and long-term value for all stakeholders,” said Ms Sarkar on her appointment. Her appointment as an Independent Director also advances the company’s commitment to gender diversity in board leadership.“These appointments mark a critical step in strengthening our Board’s strategic capabilities, financial prudence, and regulatory oversight,” said Mr Keshab Kumar Halder, Managing Director, Halder Venture Limited. “As we continue to lead the rice and edible oil sector, their guidance will be invaluable in helping us navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead and propel our growth trajectory.”The inclusion of Mr Datta and Ms Sarkar reinforces HVL’s focus on building a resilient and forward-looking governance structure that can guide the company through its next phase of growth and value creation.Last month, the company announced the acquisition of KS Oil Limited’s Edible Oil Refinery Unit in Haldia which will help strengthen its distribution network, with the aim of increasing revenue by approximately INR 1,500 crore by the next financial year.