PESB gets ready to accept online application for director's appointments

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has decided to appoint Directors for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also through online.

Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has got a new software developed in association with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for receiving online applications for selection to the Board level posts in CPSEs.

The Beta version of this software http://pesbonline.gov.in is ready for testing by the stake holders. The portal may be visited for testing and comments.

Recently, the appointment of a saffron party spokesperson Shazia Ilmi as an 'independent' director of one of the leading PSUs stirred up controversy. Ilmi who is a mass media graduate was appointed as an independent director of Engineers India Ltd.

Apart from Ilmi, the NDA government's ACC also decided to position at least nine more political affiliates of the ruling party as independent directors of various PSUs. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd and National Aluminium Company Ltd were the listed PSUs.

In 2014, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had made amendments to Clause 49 of the listing agreement for companies making it mandatory for at least 50 per cent of directors to be non-executive or independent, among which should be one woman director.