NHAI chairman gets 3-month extension

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Brajeshwar Singh got a three-month extension after the government failed to find a successor to the post. However, Singh, who was to retire today, will be retained on contract and not be considered a government official anymore.

The government began the process to select the chairman a year ago and has twice gone through the process of short-listing candidates. A third panel of shortlisted candidates is now being constituted, with the government calling for applications from all serving secretary-level officials. The process for the final phase of selection will start in September and Singh will not be eligible.

The first search committee was scrapped after the process got mired in controversy, with Brahm Dutt, the then secretary, roads, applying for the job despite being a member of the selection committee.

During the tenure of T R Balu as minister, NHAI saw five chairmen between July 2006 and December 2008. The shortest tenure was of J S Maini that lasted for two months.