Pandey wins ONGC dir. tech post as rivals fume
NC Pandey says he couldn't have won the ONGC director technology & field services post without the support of well-wishers.
But Pandey should beware his detractors who are out to discredit him. Within ONGC there were gasps of astonishment at a PESB decision on April 24 to recommend Pandey's name for the coveted director's seat - empty since Shashi Shanker's elevation to chairman.
No doubt Pandey holds executive director rank with impressive deepwater drilling experience. He is also credited with turning around the Bokaro CBM asset as its head.
"But how is it that the PESB selected Pandey when there were three senior officers above him on the list of candidates?" questions a source. "He was only a (lower) GGM (group general manager) when he sent his application to the PESB for this job.
His promotion to ED came only recently." Perhaps the biggest surprise was the failure of hapless Neelam and Heera asset head AJ Morbale to win. Other disappointed hopefuls include Ashwini Nagia, head of materials management, and Anand Mohan, head of onshore engineering services.
"One member of the PESB received a call on the evening of April 24th from a personal assistant to a Member of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, questioning Pandey's selection," a well-placed source tells us. Unconfirmed reports also suggest supporters of two EDs who lost to Pandey have begun digging for dirt to sabotage his selection.