Click to play videoNew Delhi: The sorry state of the recruitment process for PSU bosses is out in the open as CNN-IBN has accessed a copy of a secret Finance Ministry note that shows that a possible contender for the post of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) chairman is being probed in a corruption case.
NMDC, one of the richest public sector undertaking units of the country, has now become the subject of a bitter war over who should be its chairman.
Multan Singh Rana, who is currently the chairman of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, a Navratna PSU, is the one who has been shortlisted for the post of chairman of NMDC. But at the time of being shortlisted, he was facing a probe from the CVC for irregularities committed during purchase of a few machines.
CNN-IBN has got a copy of this secret note from the finance Ministry, dated October 2010, stating clearly that the Finance Minister has approved of disciplinary proceedings for major penalties against MS Rana and other officers.
CNN-IBN has also exclusively accessed copies of letters of complaint written by MPs to the Prime Minister asking for a probe against Rana. But Rana outrightly rejected all allegations.
Rana said, "I do hear that complaints are being made but I don't think that there is any substance to them."
Investigations now reveal that the CVC's office is seeking closure of cases against Rana and all other officers mentioned. A special request has also been sent from the government seeking speedier vigilance clearance for Rana.
The questions remain what changed for the CVC between 4th October 2010 to December 2011 that it chose to change its opinion and why has Multan Rana still not been granted vigilance clearance if the CVC wants closure of cases against him? How was Rana called in for an interview and then shortlisted if at that time there was an enquiry pending against him?
What this shows is the sorry state of affairs for recruitment of top bosses of PSUs in the country. Lobbying for posts is one thing but the government's own departments working at cross purposes is certainly not a good sign.
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