SK Srivastava applies as new head of DGH
Interim DGH boss SK Srivastava appears to have had a change of heart! Earlier reports that Srivastava was reluctant to apply for the full-time post of DGH boss to replace VK Sibal have been turned on their head.
DGH insiders tell us Srivastava has made up his mind to compete for the top job. Srivastava was appointed DGH interim head on November 1 following VK Sibal’s abrupt departure amid a swirl of damaging allegations.
PETROWATCH learns he sent his application to the office of joint secretary (exploration) DN Narasimha Raju on the January 13 (Wednesday) deadline for submission of CVs, announced when the DGH posted an advert looking for a full-time boss on its website on December 23. “Srivastava has prepared a good application,†a source tells us on January 12.
“He should get the post.†Raju’s office, we hear, has been receiving around six CVs a day, but by January 6 none were found to be particularly impressive.
We also hear that short-listing and subsequent interviews could take up to two months. “The oil ministry will definitely select a candidate by April,†says a source.
“Srivastava was appointed acting DGH till April only.†Industry sources believe it is too early to suggest the names of other prospective candidates.
“This post is no bed of roses,†says a regular oil ministry visitor. “All the controversy surrounding Sibal means that whoever sits in that chair will be under intense scrutiny.
†Another source at a multinational service company says the new director general will have even less autonomy than before. This is bad news, as the DGH already runs to the oil ministry for almost all approvals.
Srivastava retains his post of director operations at Oil India in addition to being acting DGH. Before he was appointed to the Oil India post, he was deputy DGH director general from April 2007 until October 1, 2009.