Vandana Sharma becomes PNGRB special advisor
After eight years in the job, PNGRB secretary Vandana Sharma has finally retired.
But she hasn't left the gas regulator - instead, Sharma has rejoined it in the newly created role of principal advisor. "Sharma retired on September 30 (2024)," says a PNGRB source.
"Her appointment order (as principal advisor) is not out yet." But he adds that Sharma began work in the new role unofficially on October 3 (2024) after a two-day 'cooling off period.
' Still unclear is who will replace her. "She will be on a yearly renewable contract and a monthly salary of Rs250,000 ($3000) with a 10% annual increase," we hear.
"This is the same payscale the PNGRB offered two principal consultants early this year (2024)." In March 2024, the PNGRB hired two retired EDs as principal consultants: GAIL executive director (gas marketing) Sunit Verma and former IndianOil executive director Arvind Kumar.
The PNGRB aims to recruit more retired industry veterans from state-owned oil companies as principal consultants to tackle the increasing workload. "Recruiting retired veterans has a lot of advantages not only for the regulator but also for the industry," says a CGD source.
"Experienced veterans understand industry challenges." Sharma received her last extension in 2023.
"The ACC has approved the oil ministry proposal to extend the tenure of joint secretary (Ms) Vandana Sharma, PNGRB, up to the date of her retirement on September 30 (2024) or until further orders, whichever is earlier," reads the August 14 (2023) order. From the Central Secretariat Service (CSS), Sharma took charge as PNGRB secretary in July 2016, replacing Upamanyu Chatterjee, an IAS officer (now retired) and an award-winning author.
After completing five years as PNGRB secretary, Sharma received her first extension on July 24 (2021). "This was a one-year extension," we hear.
A second six-month extension came through on August 8 (2022), followed by another six-month extension on January 28 (2023). "If she gets two extensions to her yearly contract until 2026, she will complete a decade at the PNGRB," we hear.