Deshmukh seeks PM's help to fill top PSUs vacancies

Concerned over large scale vacancies of directors in state-owned companies, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Vilasrao Deshmukh today said he has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to cut delays in top PSU appointments.

"We have already sent a proposal to the Prime Minister. The procedural delays have to be curbed, as it takes very long time to appoint a particular director, executive director or part time director," he said.

The Minister was speaking at a conference jointly organised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Of the total 246 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), there are about 40 units that have shortage of either directors or executive directors.

Deshmukh said, broadly the Prime Minister is in favour of cutting delays in PSUs appointments, but "they have to go into minor details."

The Prime Minister's Office has sought views of different ministries on DPE's proposal, he said.

The procedure of appointments of post of directors and executive directors begins with the Public Enterprises Selection Board inviting the applications.

The Board has to shortlist minimum two persons whose names then go to the concerned administrative ministers. They are also sent to the Central Vigilance Commission and the Intelligence Bureau for clearances.

The procedure does not stop here. The names of the shortlisted candidates are then sent to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Home Ministry before they finally reach the Prime Minister. The entire procedure takes a long time.

Earlier in his speech, Deshmukh had said, the Maharatna and Navratna CPSEs, especially, have to effectively compete with established global players. In the long term, vision of these companies should be to transform themselves into true global giants in the near future.

As on March 31, 2009 there are 246 CPSEs in the country, according to Public Sector Enterprises survey.