CERC chief selection runs into controversy
Given the controversy surrounding the appointment the new incumbent, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) may have to remain headless for some more time.
By Subhash Narayan & Rajeev Jayaswal, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Given the controversy surrounding the appointment the new incumbent, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) may have to remain headless for some more time. The appointment to the post, which fell vacant late last year, has landed in a fresh controversy over the government’s selection procedure.
“The appointment process for the post of chairperson of CERC has come under the scanner after a selection committee headed by member of the energy planning commission Kirit Parikh recommended Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Pramod Deb for the post. Mr Deb was originally not in the list of six candidates,” a power ministry source said.
The selection committee finalised names of six candidates, including former department of industrial policy and promotion secretary Ajay Dua and CERC member Bhanu Bhushan.
Based on the list, NS Sisodia and Surya P Sethi were shortlisted. Some members of the committee insisted they would not sign unless the two candidates are ranked. The CERC Act does not mandate the committee to rank the shortlisted candidates. The committee then ranked Mr Sisodia as the number one candidate.
After being shortlisted, Mr Sisodia opted out of the race, leaving Mr Sethi as the sole contender. In order to have two candidates, the name of Mr Deb was added as number one candidate by the committee.
“The rules have been bent to accommodate a new candidate that too as number one choice, even though his name did not figure in the original list,” said a source. Mr Parikh denied there was any delay in the appointment process and said recommendations of the committee has already been sent to the ministry.
Interestingly, power minister Sushilkumar Shinde expressed ignorance about the controversy saying that the file is yet to come to him for approval.
“The appointment process for the post of chairperson of CERC has come under the scanner after a selection committee headed by member of the energy planning commission Kirit Parikh recommended Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Pramod Deb for the post. Mr Deb was originally not in the list of six candidates,” a power ministry source said.
The selection committee finalised names of six candidates, including former department of industrial policy and promotion secretary Ajay Dua and CERC member Bhanu Bhushan.
Based on the list, NS Sisodia and Surya P Sethi were shortlisted. Some members of the committee insisted they would not sign unless the two candidates are ranked. The CERC Act does not mandate the committee to rank the shortlisted candidates. The committee then ranked Mr Sisodia as the number one candidate.
After being shortlisted, Mr Sisodia opted out of the race, leaving Mr Sethi as the sole contender. In order to have two candidates, the name of Mr Deb was added as number one candidate by the committee.
“The rules have been bent to accommodate a new candidate that too as number one choice, even though his name did not figure in the original list,” said a source. Mr Parikh denied there was any delay in the appointment process and said recommendations of the committee has already been sent to the ministry.
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Interestingly, power minister Sushilkumar Shinde expressed ignorance about the controversy saying that the file is yet to come to him for approval.
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