Expect an extension for GSPC chairman Aloria
Everybody at GSPC is hoping Ganga Ram Aloria gets an extension as company chairman and state chief secretary beyond his official retirement date on July 31.
If he doesn't Aloria will leave a power vacuum that can only be bad news at this critical juncture. If Aloria goes then interim GSPC managing director JN Singh might also leave if he is crowned as Aloria's successor for the chief secretary job.
This would not be good: GSPC is in critical talks with ONGC to farm out 50% of the KG basin Deen Dayal West field and any change at the top could stall talks. "GSPC should not have frequent changes at the top," says a senior company source.
"It would be de-stabilising." When contacted a senior Gandhinagar source confirms that all the factors point to an extension for Aloria, initially for three months from August 1 to October 31, followed by another three-month extension to January 31 - enough time to see through the next Vibrant Gujarat summit held the same month.
"Aloria has a good relationship with the chief minister," we hear. "And the government will want him present to host Vibrant Gujarat.
" Frequent visitors to Aloria's office says he looks positive and confident about his extension. But the final power to grant an extension to Aloria rests with chief minister Anandiben Patel.
"It is the chief minister's prerogative," we hear. "Only she can decide.
"
