SHILLONG: North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has landed into a controversy over the appointment of the retired Executive Director (Security) SK Verma as an Adviser (Security) to Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) on contractual basis for six months.
Sources in NEEPCO on Friday revealed that the appointment was made at the level of the CMD without the approval of the Union Ministry of Power which was mandatory.
While questioning the appointment, sources said that there is was no justification to appoint an Adviser (Security) since the CMD does not have any security threat.
“This appointment was made since Verma is known to be very close to the CMD,” sources said.
According to sources, the CMD is contemplating to appoint some senior officers who are retiring in the next few months as consultant on a contractual basis.
As per the appointment letter issued on November 1 last which is available to the press, Verma will be paid a fixed professional fee of Rs 1 lakh per month.
“The Travelling Allowance (TA) which would entitled to Verma would be equivalent to the grade in which he last in the corporation but shall not exceed the limit of the General Manager. He would also be allowed telephone and mobile phone call facilities which would be limited to the grade of the General Manager,” the letter stated.
As per the appointment letter, Verma will advice the CMD in matters related to Security department in interest of the work and render advice on issues as sought for from time to time. “He (Verma) would not have any administrative and financial powers,” the appointment letter said. It has been reported that many of the NEEPCO staff are unhappy over this decision of the CMD.
When contacted, a senior official of NEEPCO on condition of anonymity said that the appointment should have been done in a transparent manner. “There should be some justification if you appoint someone. But the latest appointment was made due to personal association rather on the need of corporation,” a senior official added.
