Ramakumar wins all clear as IOC consultant
In a surprising move, former IndianOil director SSV Ramakumar has won oil ministry approval to stay at the company as an R&D consultant.
Despite questions over his actions when he was R&D director, the oil ministry approved IndianOil's decision to appoint Ramakumar as a consultant on October 31 (2023). "Oil ministry approval has come," confirms a company source.
"But the chairman (SM Vaidya) and oil minister (Hardeep Puri) are busy with other engagements, and the appointment has not been formally made yet." Our source asks why an R&D consultant is needed when the PESB has already selected a full-time R&D director.
Alok Sharma was recommended for the position after the PESB interviewed seven IndianOil candidates and one from Bharat Petroleum on September 12 (2023). "Sharma has received CVC approval," adds our source.
"His file is in the ministry but is yet to go to the ACC." He adds Sharma's file won't move until Ramakumar's appointment as a consultant is publicly announced.
"Otherwise, it would be difficult to justify his (Ramakumar's) appointment," we hear. In 2022, IndianOil backtracked on its plan to abolish the director R&D job amid anger from within the company.
"They initially wanted to abolish the (R&D) role," we hear. "How come we suddenly need a full-time director and a consultant in the (R&D) department?" Ramakumar joined IndianOil's board on February 1 (2017), initially for five years, but received an extension until July (2023) when he retired.
On October 30 (2023), in response to a Right to Information request by former IndianOil R&D employee Sudish Aggarwala, the oil ministry's central public information officer Vinay Kumar refused to provide details on vigilance questions against Ramakumar. "This is primarily a matter between the employer and the employee and is covered under the expression' personal information,' the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or public interest," wrote Kumar.
Our source questions how a complaint of wrongdoing against the former director of a state-owned company is not of public interest.