Two recommendations for PNGRB member
At long last, there's hope the PNGRB will manage to fill the vacant fourth member role after a selection committee recommended two names.
After interviews on March 4 (2024), the committee chose former Sabarmati Gas managing director A Ramana Kumar to fill the position, vacant since Satchidananda Rath, member infrastructure, retired on May 18 (2020). As a backup, the committee also selected IndianOil refineries director (Ms) Sukla Mistry.
What if Kumar's name is not approved? In that case, Mistry might be chosen to avoid holding another interview round. This is already the third attempt to fill the vacancy.
A frequent oil ministry visitor tells us that Kumar's file has been sent for further approval. "Kumar's recommendation is surprising," says a source.
"Usually, director-level candidates would be given preference for a PNGRB member position." Kumar's most recent position at his parent company, Bharat Petroleum, was as a CGM.
However, his experience as Sabarmati Gas MD from November 1 (2017) until his retirement on February 25 (2021) might have swayed the selection committee. Our source describes Kumar as a solid manager with a good reputation.
"He is a result-oriented go-getter and a hands-on hard worker," we hear. Incorporated in 2006, gas retailer Sabarmati Gas was once considered a stagnant company, but Kumar transformed its image.
In its first 11 years of operation, Sabarmati Gas set up 57 new CNG stations, but Ramana Kumar added 52 more in three years. "He also increased the number of piped gas connections to homes," we hear.
Sukla Mistry was widely seen as one of the frontrunners for the member role. She retires on April 30 (2024) and has no CGD background but is said to have made a good impression on oil secretary Pankaj Jain.
If Mistry wins, she will become only the second woman to be a PNGRB member after Sudha Mahalingam from July 2007 to July 2012.