Industrialist Brij Mohan Khaitan, who hogged the limelight by acquiring the Indian business of Union Carbide in the 1990s, passed away on Saturday morning at his residence here due to old-age ailments, family sources said.
Mr. Khaitan, 92, was the patriarch of the Williamson Magor Group that deals in dry-cell battery, tea and engineering services.
Citing old age, he had stepped down as the chairman recently from the boards of the group’s two key companies — Eveready Industries India Ltd. and McLeod Russel India Ltd.
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He, however, remained chairman emeritus for both the companies. Business chambers and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have offered their condolences.
In a tweet, Ms. Banerjee said, “Saddened at the passing away of noted industrialist B.M. Khaitan Ji. He was a much respected elder statesman of the business community of Bengal. My condolences to his family, his colleagues and his friends.”
Indian Chamber of Commerce said: “ICC is extremely grieved to learn the sad demise of B.M. Khaitan ji. We deeply mourn his sad demise as he was our revered guide and patron. His passing away is a great loss to the family and to the Business fraternity as well. He was a doyen of the Indian industry.”
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Mr. Khaitan got the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ICC in 2013. His acquisition of the Indian business of Union Carbide in the 1990s gave him a dominant position in the dry-cell battery business, which continues till today.