The CMD Selection process for Indian Oil is getting murkier and murkier. Now even bureaucrats and Oil & Gas veterans are raising eyebrows. Many have a feeling of deja vu and say trust the rotting system to make a simple selection of a CMD into a stinking cess pool. NewsIP was first to bring to the notice of readers how a wild card entry was pushed in during the Video Interaction with Search Committee held on Sunday, 12th August. But true to ethical and best journalistic tradition did not make public the name of the concerned person despite being fully aware of the name. The so called mainstream media suddenly went berserk well into late evening plastering the name of Mr. Sandeep Gupta Chairman GAIL all over media landscape. The news item had all the tell tale signs of a planted story with numerous mistakes and repetitive passages. Well the so called breaking news may be labelled as the prerogative of press freedom but it’s sinister design cannot be missed.
The whole process of selection which was itself quite vitiated has been made a mockery of. Whatever the Search Committee decides and reports will be now be seen by all with a suspicious eye. Why was this done? Many say it is with an intent to reduce the chances of Mr Sandeep Gupta who is seen by most as a clean and capable candidate without blemishes. He does not seem to have the kind of political backing with other candidates have of Andhra and IAS lobby. It’s well known that the current incumbent will go all out for a new/extended term and such selected news leaks may well benefit him with at least an extension till State Elections.This type of power play is certainly not at all good for a government-owned PSE which is responsible for tax payers money. The Search Committee has not announced anything till our publishing this news item.
The selection process for the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), a Fortune 500 company, had already raised concerns among experts. Despite initial promises of transparency, the process has been marred by unprecedented controversy. The term of the previous CMD having ended much earlier instead of appointing a new one, extensions were granted. When candidates were called for interviews, the incumbent CMD was also included, raising eyebrows.Candidates were theafter declared ineligible, and a search-cum-selection committee was formed. The committee, comprising the Petroleum Secretary, PSEB Chairperson, and a former HPCL CMD as an expert, re-framed rules and invited applications.The committee declared retaining some veto powers, which was exercised during the interactions yesterday.
Sources reveal that three Oil and Gas marketing directors – from IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL – were invited for Video Interactions again sparking speculation about their connections. The committee had planned to call two more CMDs who hadn’t applied, but only one was invited due to clearance issues from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Experts question CVC’s role, suggesting that if it gets involved, it should have scrutinized all candidates. As of now, no candidate has been announced, fueling wild speculations and kite flying. It is a mirror copy of power play similar to those adopted by political parties sans Resort Politics of course. These developments obviously raise concerns about the entire selection process of transparency and fairness.
It’s to be seen whether the exercise which is by now far beyond justice appears to have been done. And will continue to make common citizens further loose hope of selection processes in India be it Neet Examinations, UPSC, PESB et al.NewsIP will continue to keep an eye on the matter and keep readers aware of future developments.
