The government breaking the mould in banking has made private applicants more serious about trying their luck
NTPC (Image used for representative purpose)
The post the of chairman and managing director of National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), India’s largest power generation company, has been vacant for two months. Though the government has initiated the selection process. The delay, apparently, is due to the unprecedented number of applications received for the position — 101 as compared to a mere 10 the last time the position fell vacant — which the government is sifting through. Undoubtedly, the sudden interest in the job is due to the government relaxing some criteria in order to attract suitable candidates from the private sector.
The government breaking the mould in banking has made private applicants more serious about trying their luck. The selection committee will shortlist 10 candidates for interviews. Interest is equally keen among babus, say observers. Among the names being mentioned as probably frontrunners for the post are 1988-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre Indian Administrative Service officer I.C.P. Keshari and Aman Kumar Singh, principal secretary, information technology, in Chhattisgarh. Interestingly all the current board members of NTPC too have applied for the position. Will the IAS lobby prevail or will the government choose someone from the private sector remains to be seen.
Dire warning
Now you know why it’s so difficult to root out corruption. Babus are keener on foreign assignments than taking up the position of vigilance officers in Central government departments even if assigned. Deciding that this will simply not do, the DoPT has decided to step in. In a recent directive from Sanjay Kothari, secretary DoPT, to all Central ministries and chief secretaries of states, the Centre has declared that babus failing to accept their appointment as chief vigilance officers will be barred from being considered for foreign assignments for a period of five years.
According to the directive, failing to join the post within one month of issue of the appointment letter would lead to cancellation of the appointment and debarment from Central deputation for five years. The rather draconian directive may also be a way to ensure that babus fall in line when nominations are sought for the 25 posts of CVOs at the level of joint secretary and director, expected to be filled next year.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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