Beni opposes board’s choice for NMDC chief, wants new panel

In a move that goes against the established system of neutral appointments to post of public sector chiefs, Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma has rejected the candidate selected by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) for India's largest mining company, National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).

Instead, he wants a search committee under the Cabinet Secretary to specify the relevant qualifications for the post of NMDC chairman and managing director, with preferably someone from within the organisation being picked up.

Verma refused to comment on the issue.

In July 2011, the PESB had shortlisted M S Rana for the top job. However, vigilance clearance was held up for more than a year. Rana is currently the chief of security, Printing and Minting Corporation of India.

In the interregnum, Verma appointed N K Nanda, executive director (technical), for three months. While Nanda had to be removed as the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said it had not been consulted, Verma appears to have dug in his heels.

In his letter to the DoPT, the minister noted that "NMDC's sphere is diverse and a candidate is required who understands the organisation's functional dynamics... Rana, a civil engineer, does not have the requisite experience...."

PESB member Atul Chaturvedi said Verma's proposal was illogical. "Delays in CVC clearance should not be used as a tool to recommend scrapping of panels... The job of the (chief) is not to handle shovels in the mines, it is to run the organisation."

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