NEW DELHI: A serious complaint has been raised regarding alleged irregularities in the selection of Director (Marketing and Corporate Planning) at the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise, conducted through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
The complaint, authored by Ashish Mathur, a concerned individual, was submitted to the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) via the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), calling for the scrapping of the appointment process citing procedural violations and eligibility concerns.
The selection of Samuel Praveen Kumar to the prestigious board-level position is at the center of the controversy.
Key Allegations
- Violation of Eligibility Norms
According to the complaint, Kumar, who was selected in a PESB meeting held on December 17, 2024, did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria prescribed in the PESB advertisement dated September 4, 2024. Specifically:- He was serving on deputation as Joint Secretary (Extension, Investment & Price Support) in the Ministry of Agriculture.
- He had not completed the mandatory period in the required pay grade of ₹1,20,000–2,80,000 (IDA) in a regular capacity. Instead, he was granted only a proforma promotion to Group General Manager in CWC, which he never joined substantively.
- Disqualification Due to Deputation Status
The guidelines stipulate that applicants from government services must hold the post of Joint Secretary or equivalent on a substantive basis. Since Kumar is on deputation and not holding the rank substantively, he is technically ineligible. - Conflict of Interest Allegation
Mathur also alleged a potential conflict of interest in the handling of the case by the Administrative Ministry. The official who reportedly drafted the Ministry’s reply to ACC is himself a former CWC officer recruited via lateral entry, raising concerns over bias and misuse of procedure for career gains. - Precedent of Litigation Risk
The letter warns that allowing such an ineligible selection would open “a Pandora’s box” for similar claims from other officers and likely lead to legal challenges, putting the integrity of board-level appointments in PSUs at risk.
Call for Fresh Selection Process
Citing the above points, the complaint requests that the current selection of Samuel Praveen Kumar be annulled and a fresh selection be initiated in accordance with established rules and norms.
The letter further emphasizes that appointing an ineligible candidate to such a key post in a strategic PSU would not serve the interest of the organization or the nation, particularly when the corporation plays a vital role in India’s agricultural logistics and warehousing.
Copy Marked to Top Officials
The complaint has been marked to several high-ranking officials including:
- The Hon’ble Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions,
- Secretary, DoPT,
- Chairperson and Members of the PESB.
As of now, neither the PESB nor the concerned ministry has issued an official response.
Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) is a premier warehousing agency under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and plays a critical role in India’s supply chain infrastructure. Appointments to its Board of Directors are made through the PESB, based on a transparent and merit-based process.
