Another oil PSU head goes: BPCL chairman seeks early retirement

While Deora declined extension to late Subir Raha of Oil & Natural Gas Corp and Proshanto Banerjee of GAIL India,of late he has been withholding approval — as in the case Sarthak Behuria of Indian Oil Corp last February — for a review by the Public Enterprises Selection Board. Behuria tendered his resignation after it emerged that Deora may deny him an extension. Sources said the Petroleum Ministry has been sitting on Sinha’s annual confidential report and performance appraisal that are required by the PESB for consideration for an extension at least six months before the tenure expires. Sinha was eligible for a second term until his superannuation in February 2012.

Sitting on clearances is the easy way out for the ministry as a recommendation for a change in the incumbency,without any grounds of dismal performance,would have required it to seek the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet before terminating the appointment.