Why PESB Failed To Recommend?

The public sectors have to be placed in hands of competent professional managers and high calibre professionals have to be attracted to the public sector. Government must think of radical reforms in Public Sectors for talent management process like demonetisation, revamping a planning commission etc.

- Chinmay Kumar Podder

During the year 2016 commencing from 1st June, PESB (Public Enterprise Selection Board) has met 48 times to interview candidates and recommend name of suitable candidates for Director/CMD level positions in different public sectors. In six occasions out of above PESB has failed to recommend name of a candidate for appointment. The story revolves around those six cases as it raises questions, not only of the role that PESB is supposed to play but also the transparency and fairness of the selection process.

PESB is expected to scout talents through appropriate mechanisms and to interview the shortlisted candidates and then recommend name for appointment of competent professional managers to discharge the role of functional directors and Chairman & Managing Director of a company. If we analyse those six cases, we will find how PESB has been failing to discharge its role.

On 2nd June 2016, the interview for Director, Finance for Hindustan Antibiotics Limited was scheduled. There was only one candidate and the board decided not to recommend any name for appointment. Question definitely arises, why candidates are not attracted even for a Director level appointment. It speaks volumes of the company, PESB and the government.