RPG Group chairman RP Goenka passes away at 83

Industrialist Rama Prasad Goenka, better known as RP Goenka, died early on Sunday morning at his residence here after a brief illness, family sources said.

He was 83. He is survived by his wife Sushila and sons Harsh Vardhan and Sanjiv.

RP Goenka was the eldest son of Keshav Prasad Goenka. The Goenkas are one of the oldest business families of the eastern India.

RP Goenka established RPG Enterprises in 1979 which included Phillips Carbon Black, Asian Cables, Agarpara Jute Mill and Murphy India with a turnover of about Rs100 crore.

Other major companies in his group include CESC, CEAT, Spencer's and Saregama.

In 1990, his sons Harsh Vardhan and Sanjiv took over as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively of RPG Enterprises.

Later in 2011, Sanjiv Goenka set up RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group to have his own brand identity. Harsh Goenka continued as Chairman of RPG Enterprises.

RP Goenka remained Chairman Emeritus of both the groups with a combined turnover of around Rs 30,000 crore.