Rallis India Ltd. vice-chairman R Gopalakrishnan is soon to take over from Dr. FA Mehta as chairman of Rallis India. Dr Mehta, who has decided to step down as chairman, will hand over charge to Mr. Gopalakrishnan on April 1, 2003. Dr. Mehta was appointed chairman after serving as director for 22 years in December 1994.

While three new members have been inducted on Rallis board, Mr. JK Setna, who was director, has resigned from the board with effect from March 24, 2003. Mr. Setna served as director of the company for a period over 16 years from January 23, 1987. In a press release, the company has said that Mr. Setna was also a member of several committees of the board and his managerial and accounting expertise have been invaluable to the company.

The board of Rallis inducted three new members as additional directors with effect from Monday. Dr. Venkatrao S Sohoni, Mr. Prasad R Menon and Mr. Homi R Khusrokhan.

Dr. Venkatrao is the managing Director of Pharmacia India pvt. Ltd. and has over 28 years of experience in agro chemicals and pharmaceutical companies, with proven record of ensuring growth, a company press release said.

Mr. Menon is also managing director of Tata Chemicals and also has wide experience in chemicals and fertiliser industry, while Mr. Khusrokhan is currently managing director of Tata Tea. The release adds that Mr. Khusrokhan has worked in senior positions with Glaxo India for nearly 29 years including as managing director of Glaxo India Ltd. and Burroughs Wellcome(India) Ltd.

The other members on the Rallis board are managing director Rajeev Dubey, Mr. Russi Jal Taraporevala, Mr. Ram Tarneja, Mr. BD Banerjee and Mr. V N Nadkarni.