3 coal union leaders blame MoC for inaction against WCL official

Nagpur: Leaders of three coal unions have blamed the ministry of coal (MoC) for inaction and extension to director (personnel) of WCL Sanjay Kumar despite the former conducting an investigation and finding the latter ineligible for the interview conducted by Coal India Limited (CIL) for recruitment as general manager (personnel) 12 years ago.
On April 8, TOI had reported how MoC confirmed irregularities in recruitment of general managers (personnel) in 2010-11 and directed CIL to take action against 14 officials, including retired chairman-cum-managing director PS Bhattacharyya and Kumar on March 16, 2018. However, no action has been taken till date.
A joint investigation by the MoC and chief vigilance commission (CVC) found that three beneficiaries, including Kumar, had furnished false information regarding their qualifications, ability or previous service with respect to employment at the time of recruitment.
The investigation also revealed that Kumar was not working in any public sector undertaking or private sector during the recruitment process.
“The MoC and the then minister of coal are to be blamed. The MoC had pointed out certain irregularities in the recruitment process and instructed the administration to take action. With administrative action pending, a few incumbents were selected as director (personnel) and also given extension till superannuation. Did the public enterprises selection board (PESB) assess the merit independently or was it influenced by the MoC or the PMO is the question,” said INTUC secretary general SQ Zama.
A former MLC, Zama called for a judicial investigation to find out the facts.
Kumar was recruited as general manager (personnel) in this controversial recruitment process in 2010-11.
Later, he was selected as director (personnel) in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in 2015 and given an extension in 2020.
President of the WCL unit of Koyla Shramik Sabha affiliated to Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) Shiv Kumar Yadav said, “An inquiry followed by action should be initiated against the guilty. No action has been taken against officials despite irregularities and directives given by the MoC. At the same time, action is being taken against many employees for no valid reason.”
Senior leader of CITU HS Baig said, “It’s a major mistake and failure by the MoC. Whoever is guilty needs to be punished. MoC is intentionally suppressing such serious cases.”
However, leaders of the remaining two unions refused to comment. General secretary of Samyukta Khadan Mazdoor Sangh affiliated to AITUC CJ Joseph said, “Our union does not wish to jump into this controversy.”
Leader of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh Kamlakar Pote said commenting on the issue is not right as he was unaware about the case.
Denying any irregularity or false information submitted during the recruitment process, Kumar had claimed that he was eligible for the post and so, got recruited and also appointed as director (personnel) through the appropriate selection process followed by the extension.
Kumar is working as director (personnel) in WCL, a subsidiary of CIL, for the last eight years.
MoC did not respond to TOI’s queries sent through PIB.