Unlucky FACT Director may retire as GM

KOCHI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the Central Vigilance Commission and the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB)- were all in favour of appointing P K Chandrasekharan as one of the directors of Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT). But Chandrasekharan, an SC candidate who should have been appointed the director, may superannuate on Thursday without getting the posting, thanks to the interference by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Chandrasekharan, currently the general manager of FACT, stood first in the interview by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) to the post of director. “It was following the attempts by top authorities in the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers to appoint the second rank-holder, a less-qualified candidate, the appointment of Chandrasekharan was sabotaged. Later, the issue was brought to the ACC for a suggestion,” said K Vidayadharan, state vice-president, Federation of Central Government SC/ST Employees.  Meanwhile, Chandrasekharan moved the Kerala High Court challenging the injustice meted out to him. On  December 7, 2010, the ACC approved the posting of Chandrasekharan. But the counsel of the government did not submit before the court that the ACC had approved the appointment of Chandrasekharan. Later, the court pronounced its interim verdict that Chandrasekharan can be appointed subject to the final verdict by the court, Vidyadharan said.  “But the authorities are trying to delay it so that Chandrasekharan will not be appointed the director. We have moved the court praying the execution of its interim verdict,”  he said.According to the norms, a general manager should retire from the post at the age of 58. If he was elevated as the director, he could have in the office at least till the completion of 60 years.