n the name of "professionalisation",the government has come out with an advisory that candidates belonging to SCs/STs and OBC categories should be given preference in the appointment of non-official directors on PSU boards. In addition,the advisory states that women candidates should also get preference for appointment to the boards of the central public sector units (PSUs). The advisory has been issued by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to different administrative ministries on the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Industry. In an office memorandum (OM),the DPE said it considered the recommendations of the parliamentary panel and decided to convey the same to the administrative ministries. The title of the OM is "Professionalisation of boards of Central Public Sector Enterprises." It said the DPE has "decided to communicate" the concern expressed by the committee to all the administrative ministries/departments which initiate proposals for appointment to such positions. There are 217 operational PSUs,of which 158 are profit-making.
