New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has held off the appointment of Director (Finance) at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) due to a Delhi High Court (HC) order. After holding interviews for the position on March 24, the PESB said, “However, the recommendation of the PESB has not been finalised in compliance to the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi Order dated 22/03/2023…”
The PESB has held its decision in abeyance because the Delhi HC is currently hearing a writ petition filed by one of the candidates who applied for the top position. The applicant, who is currently serving as a Chief General Manager (CGM) at Indian Oil, had contested the rejection of his candidature for the interview round despite him meeting the qualification criteria. “It is the case of the Petitioner that he fulfils all necessary pre-requisite qualifications, experience etc. prescribed in the Job Description and yet did not find place in the list of shortlisted candidates released vide Notification dated 10.03.2023,” said the Delhi HC order reviewed by PSU Watch.
“Challenge in the present writ petition is to the ‘qualification’ clause added in the Job Description qua the post of Director (Finance) in CPSEs whereby preference has been given to Chartered Accountants over Cost Accountants,” said the order.
The applicant had sought a direction from the court to appear in the interview for Indian Oil’s Director (Finance) post and was allowed to do so. “… this Court deems it appropriate at this stage to permit the Petitioner to appear in the interview scheduled on 24.03.2023 for the post of Director (Finance). It is made clear that participation of the Petitioner in the interview will be subject to final outcome of the writ petition and will not create any equity in his favour,” said the court order.
“The result of the Petitioner shall be placed in a sealed cover and will not be given effect to, till the next date of hearing,” the court said. The next date of hearing is April 21.
The PESB interviewed a total of 11 candidates for the Indian Oil Director (Finance) post. Out of 10, seven were from within Indian Oil, while two were from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and one each from ECIL and GAIL.
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