Selection for ONGC Chairman Post Sparks Controversy Amid Eligibility Debate* *HR Background Candidates clean Bowled

Oil and Natural Gas Company, (ONGC) is one of the leading state enterprises in the upstream sector.PSEs have over the years, contributed substantially to the economy of India. Indeed, it’s one of the modern temples of India. Therefore it requires a capable and astute leader to run it. Esteemed readers will recall giants like Col. Wahi and Subir Raha who ran it, ever so efficiently. Therefore, when it was announced that there was a call for candidates to fill up the position of Chairman, ONGC, there was naturally a huge buzz in the corridors of the Oil & Gas Sector.

But trust the Minions to provide much song and dance even while the selection process is set into motion. In a sensational turn of events, the prestigious Chairman position at ONGC, has become mired in controversy. It is today an epicentre of intense speculation and debate. With the current Chairman, Mr. Singh term scheduled to end in December next year, top sources reveal that the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is all set to release the job description for the coveted role in the public domain soon.

What has surprised many Oil & Gas veterans that there is a palpable shift in the eligibility criteria. This has raised several eyebrows. For internal candidates, the age range is set between 45 and 58 years, while for external applicants, it is capped at 57. Controversially, insiders report that only one director within ONGC qualifies under these terms. Yet, this individual’s profile reportedly falls short of requirements, leading to whispers of a strategic push for an external candidate.

Experts suggest this could be a deliberate move to pave the way for an outsider to take the helm of India’s flagship energy company. If true, this would mark a dramatic shift in ONGC’s leadership approach, potentially reshaping the company’s strategic path, at a very critical juncture not only for ONGC but for the entire energy sector.

The plot thickens as industry insiders await official announcements. Will ONGC break tradition by opting for external talent, or will internal dynamics prevail? To go into slight details, the capping of age itself, though laudable, is out of since current trends. Mr Singh was appointed Chairman ONGC when he was above 60 years of age and has continued since. Another prominent feature of the selection process is the criteria of disciple/cadre of the candidates. HR discipline is specifically excluded.

This is surprising when many PSEs have been headed by persons of this discipline. Mr. Pusp Joshi of HPCL, Ms Alka Mittal of ONGC were from HR discipline. Whats strange is that Finance discipline has been permitted. Several such questions are going a begging. Given the track record of PESB, most feel silence and lack of transparency will as usual prevail.

NewsIP has always tried to bring to its readers cogent, no-frills, quality information which its readers deserve. Stay tuned for updates as the drama unfolds.