DOPT raises concern over delay in appointment of CMDs at Nalco and Hindustan Copper

BHUBANESWAR: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has expressed concern over a delay in the appointment of board level positions in public sector enterprises under the Ministry of Mines, including that of Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Co and Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL).

Writing to the Secretary of Mines, an additional secretary in the DoPT, which coordinates the Central Government’s personnel matters, reminded the Ministry that it had failed to comply with the prescribed timelines for appointments of both CMDs and a few other board-level appointments.



“I would like to inform you that this Department is aiming to minimise the need for any additional charge arrangements made on the Board Level posts in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) by filling the vacancies as per the prescribed timelines. In view of this, I would request you to kindly get the submission of proposals for regular appointment to Board Level posts in CPSEs expedited by adhering to the timelines in future,” according to the letter dated October 22.

ET has seen a copy of the letter.

The office of the Secretary, Mines did not respond to an email and phone calls seeking a response.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had nominated Arun Kumar Shukla, currently serving as Director - Operations as the next CMD at HCL in July. For the top job at Nalco, a Navaratna CPSE, the board in August had picked its current Director – Finance, Sridhar Patra.

Sources in the ministry say the latter’s appointment has also received the required vigilance clearance.

Patra’s selection had also come after an uncharacteristic delay. While the incumbent CMD, T K Chand, is due to retire on November 30, calls for his replacement were only made in May. “Government guidelines require an expected vacancy to be advertised a year ahead. The PSU had to be reminded twice by the PESB before it called for applications for Chand’s replacement,” said a senior official, on condition of anonymity.

According to the letter, also pending with the ministry were proposals for appointments to the post of Director - Personnel and Director – Mining at HCL, and Director – Human Resource and Director - Technical at Nalco.

The DOPT also suggested that the ministry review the status of vacancies that would need to be filled up, with proposals submitted for consideration of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), not later than six months and 20 days after the date of an unanticipated vacancy and not later than two months before the date of anticipated vacancy.

It also pointed out that the Ministry of Mines’ nodal officer had not been attending meetings to monitor board-level vacancies and had instead been deputing a representative on his behalf.