Congress-led Punjab Government on Monday virtually showed the door to the state power utility’s chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) KD Chaudhri by amending the rules governing the appointment on the coveted post.
The state Cabinet, in its meeting, has decided to appoint an IAS officer, in the rank of Principal Secretary or above, with previous experience on the top post in the Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl).
Chaudhri, considered to be the blue-eyed officer of the previous SAD-BJP combine, was appointed as PSPCl (also known as Powercom) CMD in June 2010, and was given three extensions thereafter. Currently, he was continuing on the post even after attaining the age of retirement, that is 65 years.
The decision came after the Capt Amarinder Singh government had made it clear that it would review all the decisions of the previous SAD-BJP government.
Paving way for Chaudhri’s ouster, the Cabinet decided that the PSPCl CMD would now be an IAS officer, in the rank of Principal Secretary or above, having prior experience of working in the Power sector.
At the same time, the Cabinet has also amended the terms and conditions with respect to qualifications and experience for this post adding the streams of civil engineering, electronics and communication engineering, instrumentation engineering and information technology to the existing basic qualifications.
In addition, the experience of Central Electricity Authority (CEA) would also be considered for the post of CMD.
The amendments in the qualifications and experience for the post of chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) in the PSPCl were approved to strengthen the organisation and make it more effectual, said the spokesperson.
Chaudhri was appointed as PSPCl CMD for a period of just one year in June 2010, and was later given extension for three years or 62 years of age whichever is earlier.
Just before a day he has to attain the age of 62 years, the then SAD-BJP government enhanced the CMD’s retirement age from 62 to 65 years and Chaudhri was given another extension of one year.
After expiry of his third extension on February 8, 2017 — when he would turn 65, he was allowed to continue till further orders without any term. The then government, in its cabinet meeting, took this decision well ahead the election code of conduct could come into force, on December 10, last year.