In a surprise move, Raghu Menon, one of the top contenders for National Aviation Company of India Limited?s (Nacil) chairman and managing director (CMD) position, has opted out of the race as he believes he is too senior for the post.
The closely contested race had around 51 candidates initially, which was eventually brought down to 16 last week, and, with two candidates opting out, the list was finally pruned to 14.
Ranjan Chatterjee, Meghalaya chief secretary and former joint secretary in the ministries of civil aviation and defence, has also bowed out of the race.
The list will be brought down to two by February 15. The final list of candidates will then do the administrative rounds before the Cabinet secretary announces the final name.
Nacil?s chairman and managing director position is a par with an additional secretary in the Government of India. If Menon would take the Nacil CMD post, it would be a step down for him as he is currently the financial advisor in the civil aviation ministry and was recently promoted to the secretary level.
The CMD post in Nacil is currently occupied by V Thulasidas who will superannuate on March 31 and a replacement for him would be in place by then.
The process of selecting a new Nacil CMD consists of names shortlisted by a three-member sub-committee. This committee has Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) chairman, civil aviation secretary and personnel secretary.
At present, the files with the candidate?s applications waiting for the search committee, headed by cabinet secretary K Chandrashekhar to meet and shortlist names and consisting of the Ashok Chawla, secretary, civil aviation among others.
This committee will suggest one name and another spare name to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which after clearing the name will forward it to the home minister for clearance. Minister of civil aviation, Praful Patel will be part of the ACC to select the CMD.
The Prime Minister has to sign the clearance before the Cabinet secretary announces the name.
Topping the list now among the contenders from is Vishwapati Trivedi, joint MD and currently second in command at Nacil.
Of the 14 candidates shortlisted, four are senior NACIL officials, four IAS officers and six heads of PSUs and armed forces.
The appointment is for five years or when the candidate turns 58, whichever is earlier. The salary will follow the basic pay scale as mentioned in the civil aviation ministry advertisement is Rs 27,750 and this can go up to Rs 31,500 with an annual increment of Rs 750. Over and above this there are various allowances and perks.