Flagship public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will have Atul Sobti as its next chairman and managing director. He will take charge on or after January 1.

"Government has approved the appointment of Atul Sobti, Director (Power), BHEL, as CMD, BHEL for a period of five years. The date of his assumption of charge of the post on or after January 1, 2016, till the date of his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest," the company said in a regulatory filing.

BHEL's present Chairman and Managing Director B P Rao has the distinction of being first PSU head to receive a two year extension of his tenure on January 1, 2014.

Rao, was to superannuate on December 31, 2013, but was granted extension for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2014.  Rao took over as CMD of the company in 2009. In a separate regulatory filing BHEL said that Amitabh Mathur has assumed charge as Director (Industrial Systems & Products) of the power equipment maker.