APTEL member technical vacancy opens up
If you're a former director or chairman/woman of a state-owned oil and gas PSU, now's your chance to become the next technical member (petroleum and natural gas) at the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL).
In a March 14 (2024) advert, the oil ministry said it wants applications by April 14 (2024) to replace Ashutosh Karnatak, who steps down on May 21 (2024) after completing his four-year term. "At APTEL, members are either appointed for four years or until they turn 65, whichever is earlier," says a source.
Born on June 7 (1960), Karnatak will be 64 when he retires. "He was trying hard to get a one-year extension because the retirement age at APTEL is 65," adds our source.
"But the oil ministry said no." Before joining APTEL, Karnatak was GAIL projects director and also GAIL interim chairman after BC Tripathi retired in July 2019 until Manoj Jain took over in February 2020.
Before Karnatak took charge, former DGH director general BN Talukdar held the APTEL technical member (PNG) position. Unlike Karnatak, Talukdar received a one-year extension until he turned 65.
Talukdar was Oil India's exploration director before he moved to the DGH in February 2014. "In the past, only directors or chairmen would have been eligible to apply (for the APTEL position)," continues our source.
He adds the vacancy notice is vague about the eligibility criteria for candidates and how long they'll have in the job. According to the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, a technical member "is a person of ability, integrity and standing with special knowledge and professional experience of not less than 25 years in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, regulation, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs, administration or in any other matter which is useful to the Appellate Tribunal."
In IAS-speak, APTEL members typically hold additional secretary rank. Often at loggerheads with the PNGRB, APTEL's primary role is to rule on appeals against decisions made by the gas regulator.